SCOTLAND

Employment Policy

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she last met the Scottish Trade Union Congress to discuss implementation of Government policy on employment.

Anne McGuire: My right hon. Friend last met with representatives of the STUC on 2 December to discuss a wide range of issues.

Devolution

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she intends to respond to the Second Report of the House of Lords Constitution Committee, on devolution, HL 28, Session 2002–03, as it relates to Scotland.

Helen Liddell: The Select Committee's report was published on 15 January. The Government expect to respond to it in due course.

Broadband

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans she has to ensure that rural areas of Scotland have access to broadband services on equal terms.

Anne McGuire: The Government aim to stimulate broadband connectivity and take-up across the UK.
	Access to broadband services in rural communities and the remote areas of Scotland is a strategic priority for the Scottish Executive. The Executive represents Scottish interests on the UK Broadband Taskforce and has already announced a £24 million economic development initiative to accelerate and extend the reach of broadband services.

Fisheries

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations she has received on the recent fisheries reforms; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Liddell: I took part in a meeting on 28 January at which fishing industry representatives presented their views to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and other Ministers.

Rural Communities

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on UK Government help for rural communities.

Anne McGuire: The Government are committed to ensuring the rural dimension is taken into account when developing policy and sets specific targets to measure progress on rural issues. Policy on rural development in Scotland is a devolved responsibility.

Scotland Act

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she plans to establish a commission to consider the consequences of amending the Scotland Act 1998; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Liddell: As announced in my statement to Parliament on 18 December 2002, I expect that the new commission to consider issues caused by different boundaries for Westminster and Holyrood constituencies will be established after the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections.

Pensioners

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action she is taking to improve the standard of living of pensioners.

Anne McGuire: This Government is spending around £6 billion extra in real terms on pensioners in 2002/03 as a result of policies introduced since 1997. We have introduced the Minimum Income Guarantee for poorer pensioners; Winter Fuel Payments for people aged 60 and over; free TV licences for the over 75s; and are introducing the new Pension Credit later this year, rewarding pensioners who save.

Members of Parliament (Scotland)

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what her policy is on how many Scottish honourable Members should be returned at the next general election.

Helen Liddell: Future representation for parliamentary constituencies in Scotland is dealt with in the Scotland Act 1998, which repealed the guarantee of 71 Scottish seats at Westminster and requires the Boundary Commission for Scotland to determine the level of Scottish representation by applying the same electoral quota as in England. The Commission is required to submit its report to me before December 2006. It is a matter for the Commission when, within that time scale, it does so.

Winter Fuel Payments

Irene Adams: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pensioners in Scotland are benefiting from the £200 winter fuel payments.

Anne McGuire: For winter 2001–02, around 996,000 people in Scotland received Winter Fuel Payments, producing a total payout of £152 million.

Citizens Advice Scotland

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement about her recent discussions with Citizens Advice Scotland about its work.

Anne McGuire: I met Citizens Advice Scotland yesterday. The Government greatly values the work they and individual Citizens Advice Bureaux carry out in major areas such as debt, welfare rights and employment.

Rural Post Offices (Scotland)

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what support is being made available to protect the rural post office network in Scotland.

Anne McGuire: The Government has emphasised its commitment to the UK rural post office network by making 450 million available to Post Office Ltd over the next three years. The funding will directly support rural post offices and give the company freedom to pilot new and innovative ways of providing rural services. Post Office Ltd will administer the fund within guidelines and parameters set by the Government and, as such, no specific figures in relation to Scotland are available at this time.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL

Devolution

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Advocate General what devolution issues she has advised on since 7 January 2003.

Lynda Clark: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mr Reid) on 4 February 2003, Official Report, column 135.

PRIVY COUNCIL

House Timetable

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the President of the Council what further changes to the standard timetable of the House he plans in 2003.

Robin Cook: I have no plans for further changes. I shall, of course, give careful consideration to any recommendations which the Procedure Committee may make following its current wide-ranging inquiry.
	The House will not need to review the changes before the end of the Parliament. The resolution lapses at the end of this Parliament, but it would surely be right to leave the decision on the hours of the next Parliament to its Members.

Sitting Hours

Simon Thomas: To ask the President of the Council what assessment he has made of the impact of the House's new hours on scrutiny of Government business.

Ben Bradshaw: My right hon. Friend's assessment is that the House's new sitting hours, taken with other modernisation changes (opportunities for debate and cross-cutting questions in Westminster Hall, for example, and more topical questions in the main Chamber) have had a positive impact on the scrutiny of Government business.

Pre-legislative Scrutiny

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the President of the Council what representations he has made to ministerial colleagues on pre-legislative scrutiny during the present session.

Ben Bradshaw: In the course of discussions on the legislative programme, my right hon. Friend has encouraged ministerial colleagues to proceed on the presumption that Bills will be published in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny unless there is good reason otherwise.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Parliamentary Visitors Centre

Ben Chapman: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what progress has been made with proposals for a parliamentary visitors' centre.

Archy Kirkwood: As the House will be aware, following the Modernisation Committee's recommendation, the Commission asked for a feasibility study from specialist consultants. We are well aware of the sensitivities about the option off Westminster Hall which they recommended, and have asked that sites outside the precincts should be examined as well. We are consulting widely, and hope to consider the matter again in April in the light of the views expressed. The way forward will need to be agreed with the authorities of the House of Lords.

Line of Route

Andrew Turner: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission if he will make a statement on access for schoolchildren to the line of route.

Archy Kirkwood: Special provision for schoolchildren to visit Parliament for educational programmes, including a tour, can be made through the Parliamentary Education Unit which represents both Houses of Parliament. Last year the unit sponsored about 10,000 students taking part in three different visits programmes and a number of special events. However, the majority of schoolchildren visit Westminster as constituents on tours sponsored by Members.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards

David Winnick: To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what procedure the House of Commons Commission has established to enable hon. Members to find out the current number of cases which are being dealt with by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

Archy Kirkwood: This is not a matter for the Commission, which is not responsible for the way in which the Commissioner exercises his independent role. The Commissioner reports regularly to the Committee on Standards and Privileges on such matters.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Retail Crime

Ann Coffey: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent steps the Department has taken to develop magistrates' understanding of the consequences of retail crime.

Yvette Cooper: The level and type of crime in each MCC differs and it is for each committee to determine and provide training to suit their local needs. Information is available centrally from the Home Office, which has published a business and retail crime toolkit on the Crime Reduction Website. This provides an overview of the problem, statistical information about the nature and extent of retail crime, examples of best practice and tools to help reduce it. The toolkit also contains links to other useful sources of information on retail crime.

Asylum Appeals

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how long on average the delay was between lodging an appeal against the grant of asylum and the hearing of the appeal in the last quarter for which figures are available; and what his assessment is of the cause of these delays.

Rosie Winterton: During the period October-December 2002 there were 19,343 substantive asylum hearings by adjudicators and the average length of time between lodging an appeal and substantive hearing was 34.09 weeks.
	Of those cases heard substantively during the period 12,240 related to an appeal lodged after 1 April 2002. For these cases the average length of time between lodging an appeal and the substantive hearing of that appeal was 17.12 weeks.
	The primary reason for delays has been the need to manage a significant backlog of work through the appeal system. However, these figures demonstrate that the recent streamlining and increased capacity of the asylum appeals system are already delivering a significant reduction in waiting times.

Child Contact Centres

Margaret Moran: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Lord Chancellor's Department has to provide Child Contact Centres.

Rosie Winterton: Child Contact Centres are run by the voluntary sector. My Department does not directly provide child contact centres but we work closely with service providers to develop national definitions of contact services, service standards and to map service provision. The LCD has provided funds this financial year to 71 NACCC affiliated child contact centres to help sustain existing services. The Government also part-funded the Coram Supervised Contact Consultancy Service, launched last September.

Court Closures (Ceredigion)

Simon Thomas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Department will make its decision on the appeal from Ceredigion county council relating to court closures in Ceredigion.

Yvette Cooper: The discussions between the parties are continuing, as required by the appeal process. Once both parties have confirmed that they do not wish to add to their evidence further, I will consider the matter as soon as practicable.

Harrow Magistrates Court

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many recent representations he has received about the future of Harrow magistrates court.

Yvette Cooper: My predecessor, the hon. Member for North Swindon (Mr. Wills) received a representation from my hon. Friend for Harrow East, voicing his concern at the possible closure of the Harrow magistrates court.

Regional Assemblies

George Osborne: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent discussions the Lord Chancellor's Department has had with the Electoral Commission on the proposed referendums on English regional assemblies.

Yvette Cooper: My Department is a member of the Electoral Commission's Regional Referendums Working Group, which has met five times since August 2002 to consider the primary and secondary legislation necessary for the effective conduct of regional referendums.

Service Delivery Agreement

Tony Wright: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when (a) Her Majesty's Land Registry's and (b) the Public Records Office's service delivery agreements for 2003 to 2006 will be published.

Rosie Winterton: The information is as follows:
	(a) Her Majesty's Land Registry intends to publish its Service Delivery Agreement for 2003 to 2006 in March 2003.
	(b) The Public Record Office is in the process of joining up with the Historical Manuscripts Commission, a non-departmental public body sponsored by DCMS, to form the National Archives in April 2003. The National Archives will be a Government Department and Executive Agency under the Lord Chancellor. The National Archives intends to publish its Service Delivery Agreement for 2003 to 2006 in March 2003.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

National Audit Office

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission how many specialist staff with expertise in nuclear liabilities are employed by the National Audit Office.

Alan Williams: The National Audit Office is staffed mainly with qualified accountants, several of whom have had experience in auditing estimates of costs associated with nuclear liabilities. In the event of any need for more detailed knowledge of nuclear matters, the National Audit Office has the capacity to contract-in persons with appropriate specialist skills—as it does routinely for its value-for-money reports.

TRANSPORT

A63

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many drivers have broken the speed limit as detected by speed cameras at the A63 Melton junction in each year since they were introduced.

John Spellar: This information is not held centrally.

Central Railway

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 23 January 2003, Official Report, column 509W, on Central Railway, whether he will give equal weight to those of the representations to which he refers made by foreign governments and to those made by the elected representatives of the communities affected by the proposed railway; and when he expects to be in a position to make an announcement about Government support for a Hybrid Bill to promote the project.

David Jamieson: Following receipt of the SRA's advice, we are considering carefully the company's proposals and will respond in due course. We are aware of the keen interest in Central Railway's proposals, especially among residents and businesses along the proposed route. We will give due weight to all representations made.

Central Railway

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what further work he has commissioned from the Strategic Rail Authority about the Central Railway Project;
	(2)  what discussions have taken place in the last four months about the Central Railway Project between (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) other officials, and representatives of (i) Central Railway plc and (ii) Weber Shandwick; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The SRA's detailed review of Central Railway's proposals included an assessment of the company's funding of the scheme. Following receipt of the SRA's advice in September 2002, the Minister for Transport has met with Central Railway to discuss its findings. Officials in the Strategic Rail Authority and my Department have held a number of other discussions with Central Railway. This includes further consideration of the strategic fit of Central Railway's proposals. There have been no discussions with representatives of Weber Shandwick.

Central Railway

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the financial status of Central Railways Group and of its ability to fund the proposed Central Railway; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The SRA detailed review of Central Railway's proposals included an assessment of the company's funding of the scheme. Following receipt of the SRA's advice in September, the Minister for Transport has met with Central Railway to discuss its findings. Officials in the Strategic Rail Authority and my Department and have held a number of other discussions with Central Railway. This includes further consideration of the strategic fit of Central Railway's proposals. There have been no discussions with representatives of Weber Shandwick.

Channel Tunnel

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the maximum number of trains is that can use the Channel Tunnel (a) every hour, (b) in a 24-hour period and (c) in a week.

David Jamieson: holding answer 31 January 2003
	The traffic capacity through the Channel Tunnel is calculated as the number of trains running at a nominal 140 kph (the speed of Eurotunnel's Shuttles) that can pass through the Channel Tunnel per hour. On this basis, at present, the capacity of the Channel Tunnel is 20 standard train paths per hour in each direction.
	The 20 standard train paths are available at all times, with the exception of a few hours on the three low demand nights at each weekend when part of the Channel Tunnel structure is closed for essential maintenance.

Channel Tunnel

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the maximum (a) width and (b) length of rolling stock that can use the Channel Tunnel is.

David Jamieson: holding answer 31 January 2003
	The answer is as follows: (a) The maximum width is 4.168 metres; (b) the maximum length is 800 metres.

Channel Tunnel

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the maximum level of heat released by a train that can be handled by the Channel Tunnel air conditioning plant is.

David Jamieson: holding answer 31 January 2003
	A Tourist Shuttle releases about 9 MW of heat, which is more than any other train using the Channel Tunnel system. About 15 per cent. to 20 per cent. of heat dissipates naturally, and the remainder is removed by a cooling system based on chilled water.

Channel Tunnel

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the maximum amount is of electric power available within the Channel Tunnel.

David Jamieson: holding answer 31 January 2003
	The Channel Tunnel traction electrical network is fed from four 75 MVA transformers on the French side, and four 100 MVA transformers on the UK side. This supply arrangement allows the catenary to supply 1,200 A at 25kV.

Coach Passenger Seat Belts

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  pursuant to his answer of 23 January, ref 91765, what response his Department has given to the proposals for a directive on seat belts for coach passengers;
	(2)  when he estimates that the EU directive on seat belts for coach passengers will take effect in the UK.

David Jamieson: The Department supports the proposals for seat belt wearing in coaches. The new Directive, which updates the existing EU Directive 671/91, is presently being considered by the European Parliament as part of the co-decision process. If the Directive is adopted, it is expected to come into force later this year and that UK legislation will be implemented as soon as is practicable thereafter. No timetable has been set for that yet.

Cycling

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to (a) encourage cyclists and (b) improve the cycling infrastructure in the UK.

David Jamieson: The Government are committed to seeing an increase in cycling.
	The National Cycling Strategy Board for England, chaired by Steve Norris, has been established to advise on how to increase cycling. It combines unrivalled expertise on transport engineering, marketing, local government and research. The Board has established an English Regions Cycling Development Team responsible for promoting and monitoring cycling to bring about an improvement in conditions for cycling. Their work includes an audit of local authority provision for cycling; assessment of local authority cycling strategies in Local Transport Plans; and monitoring Cycling Project Fund schemes.
	We have just launched the second round of the Cycling Projects Fund. The Fund is open to any organisation, with the exception of local highway authorities, for projects that will increase cycling. More than £3 million has been made available in total. Any project that could be expected to lead to an increase in cycling, such as cycle parking, routes, cycle training or elements within a travel plan may be eligible.
	Improved facilities for cyclists are largely funded through Local Transport Plan funds. Highway authorities are asked to develop a local cycling strategy as part of these plans. This must identify gaps in the local infrastructure and potential improvements to the cycling network.

East London Line

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made in bringing the East London Line to Croydon.

David Jamieson: The SRA is continuing to fund development of this project.

Entertainment

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the total spending of his Department on entertainment in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The costs of entertainment incurred were:
	1994–95—£24,000 (Department of Transport);
	1995–96—£24,000 (Department of Transport);
	1996–97—£31,000 (Department of Transport);
	and the estimated cost for:
	2002–03 for the Department for Transport is £25,000.
	From 1997–98 to 2001–02 Transport formed part of the DETR and DTLR. Transport specific information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

London Underground

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what reports he has received in the last fortnight relating to the standard of maintenance and safety of London Underground track; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Since the derailment at Chancery Lane on 25 January, London Underground has kept the Secretary of State informed of developments. We still await the outcome of inquiries by the independent Health and Safety Executive and London Underground.

National Minimum Wage

Gwyn Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria must be satisfied before foreign seafarers serving on UK-registered vessels trading in UK waters are covered by the national minimum wage.

David Jamieson: Foreign seafarers serving on UK-registered vessels trading in UK waters, qualify for the national minimum wage under Section 1(2) of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998.

No-fly Zone (Scotland)

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 27 November 2002, Official Report, column 269W, on no-fly zone (Scotland), 
	(1)  if emergency measures will be introduced to increase no-fly zones over the (a) Dounreay and Chapelcross facilities, (b) Faslane and Rosyth facilities and (c) petrochemical plants if the United Kingdom becomes involved in a war against Iraq;
	(2)  what the reason was for the delay in applying temporary flying restrictions over the Hunterston and Torness Power Stations; and for what reasons no flying restrictions were applied over petrochemical facilities in Scotland after 12 September 2001;
	(3)  what plans he has to introduce an increased no-fly zone over (a) Dounreay and Chapelcross, (b) Faslane (c) Rosyth and (d) petrochemical facilities in Scotland.

David Jamieson: The original purpose of establishing no fly zones over nuclear sites was to secure the safety of aviation by ensuring that an aircraft suffering engine failure had sufficient height to land clear of the site. A no fly zone does not, on its own, make a significant contribution to the security of the site.
	The overflying restrictions imposed on 3 November 2001 over a number of nuclear installations were part of a review of the measures designed to maintain safety and security.
	In determining whether and where a no fly zone may be needed on security grounds, the Government would consider whether a specific threat had been made, the nature of such a threat, the most effective response to it, and the part—if any—which a no fly zone could play in that response.

Rail Passengers Council

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the role is of the SRA Director of Media Relations in regard to the Rail Passengers Council.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority's Executive Director of Communications has no specific role in regard to the Rail Passengers Council. Liaison with the Council is the responsibility of the Authority's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs.

Rail Passengers Council

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library copies of the correspondence between the Strategic Rail Authority and the Rail Passengers Council and the regional rail passenger committees about the potential for reductions in subsidy for rail franchises.

David Jamieson: This is a matter for the Strategic Rail Authority. I have asked the authority to contact the hon. Member directly about the information he seeks.

Rail Passengers Council

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Rail Passengers Council is independent of the Strategic Rail Authority.

David Jamieson: Yes. The Secretary of State's directions and guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority requires the Rail Passengers Council and the Rail Passengers Committees to "remain clearly independent of the Authority".

Railways

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Government's commitment to increasing rail passenger use by 50 per cent.

David Jamieson: The Government published a report on its targets and progress in meeting them in relation to the 10-year Plan on 17 December 2002. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House.

Regional Air Services

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the oral statement of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 29 October 2002, Official Report, columns 203–04WH, on committing public funds to regional air services, if he will make a statement on state aid provisions under European law in respect of public service obligations.

David Jamieson: In its 1994 guidelines on the application of state aid rules to the aviation sector (94/C 350/07), the European Commission has stated that direct operational subsidisation of air routes can in principle be accepted in the case of public service obligations (as defined in Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92). The Commission considers that compensation for public service obligations does not involve aid, provided that the carrier has been correctly selected through a call to tender, on the basis of the limitation of access to the route to one single carrier, and the maximum level of compensation does not exceed the amount of deficit as laid down in the bid.

Road Safety

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to increase safety on rural roads.

David Jamieson: In October 2002 the Government produced their response to the Transport Select Committee Report on Road Traffic Speed. The response included work currently being undertaken and also that planned for the future to improve safety on rural roads. A copy of the response is available in the House of Commons Library or the Department for Transport's website at www.roads.dft.gov.uk/roadsafetv/index.htm.

Road Safety

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have been killed on rural roads in the last four years in (a) the UK, (b) the West Midlands and (c) the Coventry area.

David Jamieson: The following table shows the number of people killed in 2001 and each of the previous three years in (a) the UK, (b) the West Midlands metropolitan area, and (c) the city of Coventry, on non built-up roads with a speed limit of over 40mph.
	
		Fatalities on non built-up roads(1) GB 1998—2001 -- Casualties
		
			 Area 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 United Kingdom(2) 1,975 1,929 1,925 1,946 
			 West Midlands metropolitan area 7 7 4 12 
			 City of Coventry 0 1 2 1 
		
	
	(1) Non built-up roads with a speed limit over 40mph.
	(2) Includes data from Police Service Northern Ireland.

Road Safety

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further steps he will take to reduce speeding traffic in rural areas.

David Jamieson: Full details of the Department's work in combating the effects of excessive and inappropriate speed in rural areas can be found in the Government's response to the Transport Select Committee Report on Road Traffic Speed, published in October 2002. Copies of which can be found in the Libraries of the House.

Special Advisers/Press Officers

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and at what cost in each year.

David Jamieson: On special advisers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) on 31 January.
	As regards press officers, detailed information on the numbers of permanent press officers employed in departmental press offices, including the former Department of Transport, during the financial year 1996–97 was provided in a memorandum dated 16 June 1998 to the Select Committee on Public Administration and published in its report on the Government Information and Communication Service (HC 770) in July 1998. A copy is in the Library of the House.
	Details of costs for these years or information related to 1994–96, and the period between 1997 and 2002 when the Department for Transport was reformed could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	There are 18.8 permanent Press Officers (full time equivalent) currently employed in the DfT press office.

Strategic Rail Authority

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the annual salary is of the Strategic Rail Authority's Director of Media Relations.

David Jamieson: The salaries of all the Strategic Rail Authority's Executive Directors, including the Executive Director of Communications, will be published in their next Annual Report, a copy of which will placed in the Library of the House.

Strategic Rail Authority

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how much the Strategic Rail Authority awarded in additional franchise payments above and beyond the franchise payments which were part of the original franchise contracts in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02; and what the forecast additional franchise payments are for (i) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04 and (iii) 2004–05;
	(2)  how much subsidy (a) the Strategic Rail Authority and (b) the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising have awarded to Virgin Trains since franchising began; and what proportion of that is additional subsidy payments not included in the original franchise agreements.

David Jamieson: The contracted commitments for payments to all franchised train operators are set out by year until the end of each franchise in a table in the Strategic Rail Authority's annual reports, the latest being for 2001–02, copies of which are in the Library of the House. The SRA announced on 19 July 2002 that an additional £106 million in franchise payments was being made available to the Virgin group in the period until the end of March 2003 to cover the shortfall in revenue and additional costs incurred because of the delays in the upgrading of the west coast main line. To date £37 million has been drawn down from this facility. The SRA also announced an additional franchise payment of £58 million to Connex on 11 December 2002 to stabilise their loss making franchise during 2003.

Strategic Rail Authority

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Strategic Rail Authority evaluated the costs and benefits of operating franchises in-house before increasing subsidies to existing passenger franchise holders.

David Jamieson: Before increasing subsidies in re-negotiation of existing passenger franchises the SRA has satisfied itself that the costs of any alternative scenario would at least be equal to or greater than the proposed subsidy increase.

Strategic Rail Authority

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the Strategic Rail Authority budget for 2003–04 has been allocated to rail freight improvements.

David Jamieson: The detail of the Strategic Rail Authority's budget for the next financial year is still being finalised.

Theft/Fraud

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the cost of theft and fraud to (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies in 2002.

David Jamieson: My Department was formed on 29 May 2002. Losses between May and December 2002 due to theft and fraud are as follows:
	
		£
		
			  Losses 
		
		
			 Department 1,011 
			 Agencies 19,115 
			 NDPBs 2,447 
		
	
	Assets have been valued at cost, net book value or replacement cost depending on the circumstances of the individual case. Recoveries from perpetrators or others, e.g. insurance claims, have been netted off. Some incidents are still under investigation and final values may change.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

20-day Standstill Rule

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of breaches of the 20-day standstill rule are being investigated by Trading Standards Officers.

Elliot Morley: Enforcement of breaches of the interim movements arrangements for livestock, including those under the 20-day standstill rule, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. To date there is no central system for recording on-going investigations. This information is held locally by some 200 local authorities involved in animal movement controls.
	As part of the trial of the framework agreement with the local authorities, Defra is developing a national system to record enforcement data. The pilot group of 24 authorities represents approximately 50 per cent. of all animal movements in England and Wales. Details of breaches of the 20-day standstill rule recorded between 6 December 2002 and 29 January 2003 are as follows:
	cattle—19; and
	sheep and goats—60.
	Of these:
	two prosecutions have been initiated;
	one has received a Home Office caution;
	34 are the subject of written warnings;
	14 have received written advice/formal notice;
	seven have been dealt with by oral advice/warning;
	four required no further enforcement action; and
	17 are under further investigation.

Agriculture and Fisheries Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 20–21 January; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including their voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 27 to 28 January; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including their voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: My hon. Friends the Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State (Lords) and (Commons) and I represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 27–28 January 2003. Ministers with agriculture and fisheries responsibilities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales also attended.
	The Greek Presidency outlined its priorities and planned work programme for the period ahead.
	The Commission formally presented draft legislative proposals that would give effect to the Common Agricultural Policy reforms outlined in its paper of July 2002; member states gave their initial reactions. I emphasised the need for a sustainable CAP and welcomed the general direction of the proposals and the benefits they would bring EU farmers. I noted, however, that the current proposals for modulation of direct payments to farmers put a disproportionate burden on larger and more efficient farms. I argued for a simpler and more equitable model. I also urged a faster and more substantial transfer of funds to rural development spending than the Commission had proposed. Detailed consideration of the proposals will now take place at official level.
	Over dinner, Ministers discussed the WTO agriculture negotiations. I welcomed the agreement that had been reached on a modalities paper for submission to the negotiations in Geneva and supported the Commission in stressing that the EU would need to be flexible if it were to reach a satisfactory outcome.
	The Commission presented a proposal for revision of EU measures to control and eradicate foot and mouth disease. We welcomed the opportunity to update the rules, while recognising that careful consideration would be needed in many areas before new strategies could be put in place.
	The Commission presented a proposal for the individual identification of sheep and goats. We stressed the need for practical requirements that took account of the structure of the UK industry and the high number of animal movements associated with it.
	The Council unanimously agreed to ban the import of eggs and poultry from three US states where an outbreak of Newcastle disease has occurred.
	The Commission gave its regular report on BSE-related developments. It was noteworthy that there had been a significant increase in testing in 2002 but the total of cases identified was similar to that in 2001.
	Under other business, several delegations urged the Commission to keep the case of processed poultry imports under review to ensure that there was no unfair exploitation of the discounted duty rates that apply. On GMOs, there was an exchange of views regarding the co-existence of GM and non-GM agriculture. We supported the case for fuller discussion but warned against attempts to impose a de facto moratorium on GM approvals. Separately the Commission indicated that existing rules would continue to govern the approval of new GM products. New rules, following Council agreement of principle last November, were still under preparation and could not apply immediately.
	On fisheries, the Council adopted conclusions welcoming the Commission's communication on the integration of environmental protection with the common fisheries policy and the future actions envisaged in it. We underlined in particular the importance of taking forward action to minimise the by-catch of cetaceans in fishing nets.
	The Council similarly adopted conclusions welcoming the Commission's strategy for the sustainable development of aquaculture.
	The Commissioner gave initial presentations on his communication on an integrated framework for fisheries partnerships with third countries, and his proposed draft regulation on the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms (which would consolidate and update the Community's technical conservation requirements). Work will continue on these in coming weeks.
	Under any other business, Ireland expressed concerns about the Commission's proposals concerning access rules in western Community waters (which are for discussion in coming months) and the Commission expressed its determination to dispel legal uncertainty.

Animal Movement Restrictions

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out the reasons for changing the 20 Day Movement Rule.

Elliot Morley: The reasons for the change were summarised in the Written Statement made on 23 January 2004, Official Report, column 20WS.
	A supporting document explaining our decision in more detail has been placed in the Library and published on the Defra website.

Bioterrorism

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice is available for pet owners in the event of bio-terrorist attacks.

Elliot Morley: In drawing up contingency plans, consideration has been given to the handling of pets following the deliberate release of biological agents, including infectious diseases that affect animals. The handling of pets would depend very much on the particular circumstances of the incident. Whatever action is necessary, the authorities would take steps to ensure the risks to pets along with all susceptible livestock are minimal.

BNFL

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  when she will reply to the letter of Mr. Ron Hanas dated 11 November 2002, concerning environmental legislation and regulations by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.; and what action she proposes to take;
	(2)  when the Environment Agency will reply to the letter from Mr. Ron Hanas to the chief executive, of 11 November 2002 on BNFL; and what action the agency has taken.

Margaret Beckett: The letters from Mr. Ron Hanas dated 11 November 2002 reached the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 8 January 2003 and the Environment Agency on 7 January 2003. I have asked the Environment Agency for a report on the issues raised by Mr. Hanas. A letter of acknowledgement was sent by the Environment Agency to Mr. Hanas on 7 January 2003. Full responses will be made to Mr. Hanas as soon as possible.

Cockle Beds (Boston and Skegness)

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are being taken to compensate those affected by loss of earnings caused by the closure by the Food Standards Agency of cockle beds in Boston and Skegness.

Elliot Morley: This Department does not operate any schemes of compensation for workers in the shellfish industry.

Committee of Investigation for Great Britain

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the purpose of the Committee of Investigation for Great Britain.

Elliot Morley: The Committee of Investigation last met 11 years ago and we are currently seeking ways to abolish it. It used to consider and report to Ministers on specific complaints referred to it about the operation of agriculture marketing schemes made under the Agricultural Marketing Act 1958. As the number of marketing schemes reduced, the responsibility of the Committee declined and its continued maintenance no longer represented a good use of public resources. In March 2000 an announcement was made in Parliament to leave the Committee in abeyance and not re-appoint members, 28 March 2000, Official Report, column 83W.

Correspondence

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 14 January 2003, Official Report, column 541W, when she plans to answer the letter of Mr. D. Parton of Lymington, dated 8 October 2002, regarding composted green waste.

Alun Michael: A thorough search has been made in the Department for the letter referred to by the hon. Member but I regret that there is no record of it having been received. If the hon. Member will supply me with a copy I shall ensure that it is dealt with speedily.

Energy Efficiency

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of whether the price assumptions used in developing Government Energy Efficiency initiatives are sustainable and adequate to allow expansion in capacity required to meet Government targets.

Elliot Morley: Government energy efficiency initiatives and programmes are continually reviewed and evaluated, to assess the impact on carbon abatement, social and environmental issues, as well as the impact on the market and the relevant industry sectors. In addition Government keeps in close contact with the industry to ensure that any assumptions made are as up-to-date and realistic as possible. The capacity of particular energy efficiency industries is an important consideration in the development of new initiatives.

Energy Efficiency

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what standards of thermal performance are indicated under the definition of a decent home in the building regulations of England and Wales Approved Document L1.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	Decent homes standards are set separately from the building regulations. Both include thermal performance standards, but it would be too cumbersome to repeat them here.
	The thermal performance criterion in the decent homes standard is that a home should provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort provided by effective insulation and efficient heating. The detail of the standard was published in March 2002 and it can be found on the Office of the Deputy Prime Ministers website at: http://www.housing.odpm.gov.uk/information/dhg/definition/index.htm
	The building regulations contain requirements for reasonable provision for the conservation of fuel and power that apply whenever building work is undertaken. The requirements were substantially improved by amendment last year. Ways of compliance for dwellings, including thermal performance standards, are given in the 2002 edition of Approved Document L1, also available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Ministers website at: http://www.safety.odpm.gov.uk/bregs/brpub/ad/ad-11/index01.htm

Energy Efficiency

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what help is being given to rural areas to deliver energy efficiency in (a) homes and (b) offices.

Elliot Morley: Since the publication of the UK's Climate Change Programme in November 2000, the following key actions have been taken to help deliver energy efficiency in both homes and offices across the whole of the country, in both urban and rural areas:
	The Climate Change Levy, a levy on the business use of fuel, was introduced in April 2001. Receipts, forecast at £1 billion a year, are recycled back to business—including £50 million for business energy efficiency.
	The Carbon Trust was launched in April 2001, and it receives two thirds of its annual budget from recycled receipts from the Climate Change Levy. It encourages and promotes the development of low carbon technologies to support the transition to a low carbon economy. It offers an interest free loan scheme for small and medium sized businesses and provides funding for the development of low carbon technologies through the Low Carbon Innovation Programme.
	The Enhanced Capital Allowances Scheme enables businesses to claim 100 per cent. first year capital allowances on investments in a range of approved energy saving technologies.
	The Energy Efficiency Commitment for 2002–05 (EEC) places a challenging but realistic obligation on electricity and gas suppliers to promote improvements in domestic energy efficiency. Suppliers will achieve individual EEC targets by encouraging and assisting consumers to take up energy efficiency measures. It is expected to save 0.4 million tonnes of carbon a year by 2005. It will also help those on lower incomes-who spend a larger proportion of their incomes on energy-by focusing at least 50 per cent. of energy savings on consumers in receipt of benefits or tax credits.
	Since its launch in June 2000, the new Home Energy Efficiency Scheme-which is now marketed as Warm Front-has helped over 400,000 households through the installation of a range of insulation and heating measures. Warm Front is the Government's main programme for tackling fuel poverty, aimed at the most vulnerable groups in the private sector in England. Fuel poverty can occur in both urban and rural areas. We have recently received a scoping study looking at alternative technologies to help tackle fuel poverty, which may be of particular benefit to those in rural areas and a working group has reported on the potential to extend the gas network.
	The Community Energy Programme is a £50 million grant programme operational from 2002–04 aiming to promote community heating in the UK, primarily through the use of CHP. It will install and refurbish community heating schemes, benefiting people on low incomes while contributing to the Climate Change Programme by reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 0.15 million tonnes of carbon a year.
	Part L of the Building Regulations covering energy efficiency provisions was revised in October 2001 and the changes came into effect in 2002. These require work on new buildings and the refurbishment of the existing stock to conform to higher energy efficiency standards including those relating to building insulation, air tightness, lighting, space heating, hot water, boiler performance and replacement glazing. It is estimated that the package of measures introduced in October will reduce carbon emissions from the domestic sector by 0.8 million tonnes per year by 2010.
	The Treasury has recently introduced a VAT reduction on certain energy saving materials installed under grant schemes.
	The Government have provided funding for the Energy Saving Trust (EST) to help individual households, local authorities and others improve domestic energy efficiency. Since 2000, EST has created the Practical Help advisory service, expanded its local authority support programme providing dedicated staff to 23 areas across the UK, introduced a new grant scheme for innovative projects and expanded its network of Energy Efficiency Advice Centres providing households with advice and support. EST has developed the Energy Efficiency Recommended (EER) labelling scheme (with energy efficiency manufacturers, retailers and installers) to provide easy identification of energy efficient products. EST has also developed EEI-the network of accredited installers in the insulation and heating industries.
	The Community Renewables Initiative (administered by the Countryside Agency) gives advice to community groups, individuals and businesses on ways in which they can incorporate energy conservation technologies within their homes, properties and buildings and so increase their energy efficiency. It currently operates in Scotland and in half of England. It is hoped that GB wide coverage of the Initiative will be achieved soon.

Environment Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Environment Council on 10 December; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: I represented the UK at Environment Council on 9 December, accompanied by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment. This was the final Environment Council of the Danish Presidency. The Council reached agreement on four proposals and also considered a number of other important issues.
	Political approval was given to a Regulation implementing the Rotterdam Convention on establishing a system of Prior Informed Consent for trade in hazardous substances, and also to a Decision to ratify the Convention.
	The Council reached unanimous political agreement on the greenhouse gas Emissions Trading Directive. In negotiation the UK had secured a number of changes to meet our key requirements and I strongly supported this proposal, which gives further effect to the EU's strong commitment to action on climate change. The agreement includes an opt-out for the first phase in 2005–07, which will assist the transition from established national emissions trading schemes such as we have in the UK into the EU scheme.
	Political agreement was reached, by a qualified majority, on a Regulation on traceability and labelling of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The package included elements already agreed in Agriculture and Fisheries Council (such as the inclusion of products derived from GMOs but including no detectable GM material and a 0.9 per cent. labelling threshold) for the parallel Regulation on food and feed, which I had voted against. Debate at Environment Council principally concerned the identification requirements for bulk shipments of GMOs in agricultural commodities. I argued that the requirement should be aligned to the language in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which creates an obligation to identify the GMOs a shipment "may contain". Most other member states were able to accept a wording requiring the identification of GMOs that "have been used" in shipments, which I regarded as unduly restrictive and impractical, and an insufficient reflection of the requirements of the Cartagena Protocol. My view was that the final package did not provide a sound basis for consumer choice, and was unworkable. I therefore voted against, as did the Netherlands, Denmark and Luxembourg, on different grounds.
	Council Conclusions were adopted on the Community's Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. The Conclusions recognised the importance of reducing the environmental impacts of pesticides and emphasised the principle of subsidiarity, calling for Community action to complement action at member state level.
	The Council adopted Conclusions in advance of the UNEP Governing Council in February 2003. These highlighted the need for a strategic approach to international chemicals management.
	Member states and other interested parties have been waiting for some time for firm proposals from the Commission for a legislative package on Chemicals. The Danish Presidency called a debate at Council around what it regarded as four key areas of the future chemicals strategy—scope, sanctions, dealing with chemicals in products and handling small and medium sized enterprises and downstream users. There was a useful discussion and the Commission confirmed that it planned, as urged by the member states, to bring forward proposals as quickly as possible. The residency adopted Conclusions summarising the debate.
	The Council also took note of progress reports on a proposal for a Regulation concerning monitoring of forests ("Forest Focus"), and on the draft Environmental Liability Directive. There were several difficult outstanding issues on the latter, which would be taken forward under the Greek Presidency.
	The Council noted a Commission Communication entitled "Towards a strategy to protect and conserve the marine environment", advocating an ecosystem approach to managing the marine environment. The Danish Presidency gave a report of a marine environment conference held in Denmark in early December.
	The Council also noted a presentation by the Commission on its proposal to amend the Bathing Water Directive, and a written presentation by the Commission of the recently adopted nuclear package, covering safety of facilities and management of radioactive waste.
	Spain made a statement on the situation of the sunken oil tanker "Prestige" and its environmental impact on the Galician coast. Portugal and France expressed their own concerns. The Council adopted Conclusions complementing those adopted by Transport Council on 6 December. These Conclusions underlined the significant environmental impact of the incident and encouraged further work in the IMO to tackle these issues. It reiterated the need to ban single hull tankers for the transport of heavy grade oils, called for a review of safety conditions and condemned the practice of cleaning out tanks while at sea.
	The Danish Presidency reported on the outcome of the 12th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, attributing much of the success of the conference to the personal contribution made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State responsible for fisheries, water and nature protection.
	Portugal made a statement on its difficulties in implementing Natura 2000 when most its sites were in private ownership. The Commission assured Portugal that it was bringing forward a Communication on Natura 2000.
	Finally, the Council noted a Belgian statement underlining the importance of setting thresholds for the maximum tolerated levels of genetic contamination of seed.

EU Procurement Directive

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact which the proposed new EU public procurement directive would have on the Government's ability to choose between procurement bids offering timber from (a) legal and sustainable sources, (b) legal and progressing to sustainable sources and (c) legal sources.

Michael Meacher: The use of three distinct variant specifications for timber and wood products was recommended in the report on the timber scoping study that was commissioned by Defra in October 2001 and is currently under consideration. The rationale for this proposal is: (a) to allow poor producer countries some opportunities to compete for UK Government business and (b) to guard against any shortfall in supply that might jeopardise essential Government operations. The use of variants is permitted by the existing EU public procurement supply directive and the position is not changed by the new procurement directive as currently drafted.
	What the report commissioned by Defra proposes is that bids based on the variant specification for "legal and progressing towards sustainable" would only be considered in the absence of an acceptable bid based on the higher standard variant specification. Similarly bids based on "legal" timber would only be considered in the absence of acceptable offers based on either of the two higher standard variant specifications.
	Contracting Authorities would have the option of declining all bids if they believe that inviting fresh tenders would result in acceptable bids for legal and sustainable timber. However, where operational demands rule out such a course of action, it is practicable to include a fall back position that allows buyers to consider bids against the lower variants. Central Government Departments will be advised that whenever they receive acceptable offers to supply legal and sustainable products they should reject bids based on lower standard variant specifications.
	Public procurement directives require that contracts be awarded either to the lowest bid or to the bid that is most economically advantageous to the Contracting Authority. UK Government procurement policy is to select the most economically advantageous bid criterion because that provides true value for money in terms of quality and whole life costs. Quality in the context of timber procurement includes the standard of forest management. This means that preferring bids based on the top variant for "legal and sustainable" is consistent with both UK Government policy and EC Directives.
	The report containing the full set of recommendations and other information is at: http://www.forestforum. org.uk/docs/scopingstudyreport6–8-02.pdf. A notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Commission on 19 December announcing our intention to establish a contract for setting up a centre of procurement expertise to develop the practical implementation of variant specifications in line with those recommendations.(OJEC Ref (02/S246–196464/EN). An on-line version of this publication is at http://www.ted.eur-op.eu.int.

Fair Price Commission

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to establish a Fair Price Commission to examine the distribution of profits in the agri-food sector; and if this can be brought about within existing legislative frameworks.

Elliot Morley: The Director General of Fair Trading has powers under the Competition Act 1998 to investigate allegations of anti-competitive practice. But new legislation would be necessary to establish a statutory Price Commission, with powers to compel the industry to provide information, to undertake studies into the distribution of profits in the agri-food sector. The Government have no plans to establish a Fair Price Commission to examine the facts relating to the distribution of profits in the agri-food sector. The Government can commission less formal studies into such issues; for example, this is already being done in the milk sector by KPMG as part of a Milk Development Council (a Defra non-departmental public body) sponsored examination of UK milk prices and returns.

Farm Waste Grant

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farm waste grant applications have been (a) made and (b) refused in (i) Lancashire, (ii) the North West of England and (iii) England.

Elliot Morley: The number of farm waste grant applications which have been made and the number of applications refused in Lancashire, the North West of England, and England, since the start of the scheme in 1996 to 31 December 2002, is:
	
		
			  Number of applications made Number of applications refused 
		
		
			 Lancashire 1 1 
			 North West of England 6 1 
			 England 65 1

Flood and Coastal Defence

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list those local authorities that have produced a policy statement under High Level Targets for flood and coastal defence; and when each statement was received by her Department.

Elliot Morley: Since the Environment Agency's report on High Level Target 1 was published in May 2002, a further 10 statements have been received by Defra. A number of statements were only sent to the Environment Agency and these are shown as received from EA. Also listed are a number of statements received by the Environment Agency but not yet copied to Defra. The Agency is due to provide a further update on the receipt of policy statements in spring 2003 and I will publish the report once it has been received.
	
		
			 Local authority Defra received 
		
		
			 Adur District Council 14 February 2002 
			 Allerdale Borough Council 25 April 2001 
			 Alnwick District Council 2 April 2001 
			 Amber Valley Borough Council 2 August 2001 
			 Arun District Council 19 October 2000 
			 Ashford Borough Council 17 January 2001 
			 Barnsley Metropolitan BC 31 May 2001 
			 Barrow-in-Furness BC 7 March 2001 
			 Bassetlaw District Council 16 July 2001 
			 Bedford Borough Council 18 January 2001 
			 Berwick-upon-Tweed BC 19 March 2001 
			 Bexley London Borough Council 26 March 2001 
			 Birmingham City Council 29 January 2001 
			 Blackburn with Darwen BC from EA 
			 Blackpool Borough Council 2 April 2001 
			 Blyth Valley Borough Council 2 April 2001 
			 Bolsover District Council 8 March 2001 
			 Bolton Metropolitan BC 8 May 2001 
			 Bournemouth Borough Council from EA 
			 Braintree District Council 19 January 2001 
			 Bristol City Council from EA 
			 Bromley London BC 28 March 2002 
			 Broxtowe Borough Council 11 October 2001 
			 Burnley Borough Council 27 May 2002 
			 Bury Metropolitan BC 6 December 2002 
			 Calderdale Metropolitan BC 30 March 2001 
			 Camden London BC 6 June 2001 
			 Canterbury City Council 17 April 2001 
			 Caradon District Council from EA 
			 Carlisle City Council 30 March 2001 
			 Charnwood Borough Council 17 April 2001 
			 Cheltenham Borough Council 30 April 2001 
			 Cherwell District Council from EA 
			 Chester City Council from EA 
			 Chesterfield Borough Council 21 February 2002 
			 Chichester District Council from EA 
			 Chorley Borough Council from EA 
			 Christchurch Borough Council 18 April 2001 
			 Congleton Borough Council 18 June 2001 
			 Copeland Borough Council from EA 
			 Cotswold District Council 15 June 2001 
			 Darlington Borough Council 3 April 2001 
			 Daventry District Council 24 April 2001 
			 Derby City Council 28 August 2001 
			 Doncaster Metropolitan BC 25 April 2001 
			 Dover District Council 15 March 2001 
			 Easington District Council 3 September 2001 
			 East Devon District Council from EA 
			 East Dorset District Council 30 July 2001 
			 East Hampshire District Council 28 July 2002 
			 East Northamptonshire DC 26 March 2001 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire Council 19 April 2001 
			 East Staffordshire BC 11 April 2001 
			 Eastbourne Borough Council 12 March 2001 
			 Eastleigh Borough Council from EA 
			 Eden District Council 6 March 2001 
			 Ellesmere Port and Neston BC 26 April 2001 
			 Elmbridge Borough Council 10 April 2001 
			 Enfield London Borough Council 2 October 2001 
			 Epping Forest District Council 2 August 2001 
			 Epsom and Ewell BC 8 August 2001 
			 Erewash Borough Council 4 July 2001 
			 Exeter City Council 17 April 2001 
			 Fareham Borough Council from EA 
			 Fylde Borough Council from EA 
			 Gateshead Metropolitan BC 2 April 2001 
			 Gedling Borough Council 28 June 2001 
			 Gloucester City Council 29 March 2001 
			 Gosport Borough Council 19 April 2001 
			 Gravesham Borough Council 21 March 2002 
			 Great Yarmouth BC 14 May 2001 
			 Halton Borough Council 30 January 2002 
			 Harrogate Borough Council 17 May 2001 
			 Harrow London Borough Council 3 May 2001 
			 Hart District Council 30 March 2001 
			 Hartlepool Borough Council 29 March 2001 
			 Hastings Borough Council 9 July 2001 
			 Havant Borough Council 30 March 2001 
			 Hertsmere Borough Council 18 April 2001 
			 Horsham District Council 11 October 2002 
			 Hounslow London BC 16 May 2001 
			 Huntingdonshire District Council from EA 
			 Hyndburn Borough Council from EA 
			 Ipswich Borough Council 25 June 2002 
			 Isle of Wight Council 6 March 2001 
			 Kennet District Council from EA 
			 Kerrier District Council from EA 
			 Kirklees Metropolitan BC 21 May 2001 
			 Lancaster City Council 27 April 2001 
			 Leeds City Council 9 May 2001 
			 Lewes District Council 22 March 2001 
			 Lichfield District Council from EA 
			 Luton Borough Council 25 June 2001 
			 Macclesfield Borough Council 5 February 2002 
			 Manchester City Council 22 October 2001 
			 Mansfield District Council 30 April 2001 
			 Medway Council 26 March 2001 
			 Melton Borough Council 17 April 2001 
			 Mid Bedfordshire District Council 26 March 2001 
			 Mid Suffolk District Council 12 April 2002 
			 Mid Sussex District Council 12 June 2002 
			 Middlesbrough Borough Council 14 November 2001 
			 Mole Valley District Council 8 March 2001 
			 New Forest District Council from EA 
			 Newark and Sherwood DC 11 July 2001 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne City Council from EA 
			 North Cornwall District Council from EA 
			 North Devon District Council 22 August 2001 
			 North Dorset District Council 21 March 2002 
			 North East Derbyshire DC 2 April 2001 
			 North East Lincolnshire Council 30 March 2001 
			 North Lincolnshire Council 10 September 2001 
			 North Norfolk District Council 15 February 2001 
			 North Shropshire District Council 26 March 2001 
			 North Somerset Council 14 May 2001 
			 North Warwickshire BC from EA 
			 Northampton Borough Council 2 October 2001 
			 Nuneaton and Bedworth BC 8 October 2001 
			 Oldham Metropolitan BC 28 March 2002 
			 Pendle Borough Council from EA 
			 Peterborough City Council 29 March 2001 
			 Poole Borough Council 16 February 2001 
			 Portsmouth City Council 30 August 2001 
			 Preston Borough Council from EA 
			 Purbeck District Council 10 April 2001 
			 Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council 28 March and6 December 01  
			 Redditch Borough Council from EA 
			 Reigate and Banstead BC 8 February 2002 
			 Restormel Borough Council from EA 
			 Ribble Valley Borough Council 30 March 2001 
			 Richmondshire District Council 21 March 2002 
			 Rochdale Metropolitan BC 11 April 2002 
			 Rossendale Borough Council from EA 
			 Rother District Council 13 August 2001 
			 Rotherham Borough Council 11 January 2002 
			 Runnymede Borough Council 30 August 2001 
			 Rushcliffe Borough Council 19 April 2002 
			 Ryedale District Council 5 April 2001 
			 Salford City Council 4 February 2002 
			 Sandwell Metropolitan BC from EA 
			 Scarborough Borough Council 26 February 2001 
			 Sefton Metropolitan BC 23 April 2001 
			 Sevenoaks District Council 19 March 2001 
			 Sheffield City Council 2 April 2001 
			 Shepway District Council 22 March 2001 
			 South Cambridgeshire DC from EA 
			 South Gloucestershire Council from EA 
			 South Northamptonshire DC from EA 
			 South Ribble Borough Council 17 December 2002 
			 South Staffordshire DC 19 March 2001 
			 Southampton City Council from EA 
			 Southwark London BC from EA 
			 St. Edmundsbury BC 30 April 2001 
			 St. Helens Metropolitan BC 11 April 2002 
			 Stafford Borough Council 23 March 2001 
			 Staffordshire Moorlands DC 4 October 2002 
			 Stockport Metropolitan BC from EA 
			 Stockton-on-Tees BC 19 April 2002 
			 Stoke-on-Trent City Council 21 March 2002 
			 Stroud District Council 3 April 2001 
			 Suffolk Coastal District Council 26 March and3 May 2001 
			 Surrey Heath Borough Council 8 February 2001 
			 Sutton London Borough Council 21 March 2002 
			 Swale Borough Council 5 April 2001 
			 Tameside Metropolitan BC from EA 
			 Tandridge District Council 24 July 2001 
			 Taunton Deane Borough Council 21 March 2002 
			 Thanet District Council 11 September 2002 
			 Teignbridge District Council 20 May 2002 
			 Tendring District Council 15 February 2001 
			 Test Valley Borough Council 21 March 2002 
			 Tewkesbury Borough Council 30 March 2001 
			 Tonbridge and Malling DC 6 August 2001 
			 Torbay Borough Council 12 March 2001 
			 Torridge District Council 17 October and17 December 2001 
			 Trafford Metropolitan BC from EA 
			 Vale of White Horse DC 26 June 2001 
			 Warrington Council from EA 
			 Warwick District Council from EA 
			 Waveney District Council 30 October 2001 
			 Waverley Borough Council 18 May 2001 
			 Wealden District Council 11 May 2001 
			 Wear Valley District Council 2 April 2001 
			 Wellingborough District Council 30 March 2001 
			 Welwyn Hatfield District Council 2 April 2001 
			 West Devon Borough Council 9 October 2001 
			 West Dorset District Council 2 April 2001 
			 West Lancashire District Council from EA 
			 West Oxfordshire District Council from EA 
			 Wigan Metropolitan BC from EA 
			 Winchester City Council from EA 
			 Wirral Metropolitan BC 29 March 2001 
			 Woking Borough Council 5 February 2002 
			 Wolverhampton Metropolitan BC from EA 
			 Worthing Borough Council 30 March 2001 
			 Wychavon District Council from EA 
			 Wycombe District Council from EA 
			 Wyre Borough Council 3 October 2000 
			 York City Council 17 April 2001 
		
	
	Policy statements received by Environment Agency, not yet copied to Defra.
	Castle Morpeth Borough Council
	Coventry City Council
	Derwentside District Council
	Durham City Council
	Hambleton District Council
	Isles of Scilly Council
	Kingston upon Hull City Council
	Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
	Liverpool City Council
	North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council
	Oswestry Borough Council
	Rugby Borough Council
	South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council
	Sunderland City Council
	Tamworth Borough Council
	Tynedale District Council
	Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council
	Wansbeck District Council
	Worcester City Council

Flood Defence

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent in each of the past five years by (a) the Environment Agency, (b) the operating authorities, (c) her Department and (d) local authorities on flood defence in (i) the Thames Valley, (ii) Surrey and (iii) Spelthorne.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 31 January 2003
	Defra provides grant aid to operating authorities, normally the Environment Agency (EA) and local councils, for capital flood defence works that meet set criteria. Grant paid to EA Thames region in each of the past five years is as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1997–98 3.0 
			 1998–99 2.7 
			 1999–2000 4.1 
			 2000–01 3.5 
			 2001–02 2.7 
		
	
	The Environment Agency estimates that their expenditure on studies, capital improvements and maintenance in the past five years in the lower Thames Valley was £11.9 million, of which £4.9 million was in Spelthorne and £6.3 million elsewhere in Surrey.
	Further breakdowns and figures for expenditure by local authorities could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Flood Defence

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what works have been carried out in Spelthorne to prevent flooding in each of the past five years; and how much each project cost.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 31 January 2003
	Information is only readily available for projects undertaken by the Environment Agency as follows:
	
		£000
		
			  1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 Totals 
		
		
			 Ash, Feltham Hill Brook, Portlane Brook, Thames maintenance works 50 50 50 50 50 250 
			 Colne, Wraysbury, Colnebrook maintenance works 100 100 100 100 100 500 
			 Lino Mill (Lower Colne Improvement Scheme) 720 — — — — 720 
			 Stanwell (Lower Colne Improvement Scheme) — — 50 100 2,860 3,010 
			 Shepperton weir A Improvements — — — — 105 105 
			 Shepperton weir B rebuild — — — 80 120 200 
			 Prefeasibility studies — — — 30 50 80 
			 Total 870 150 200 360 3,285 4,865

Flood Defence

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she plans to take to prevent a repeat of the recent floods in the lower Thames Valley.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 31 January 2003
	Operational responsibility for flood management measures rests with the local operating authorities, normally the Environment Agency (EA) and local councils, who decide which projects to promote and their timing.
	I understand that the EA is already reviewing short-term actions such as encouraging residents to take up the flood warning service, providing advice on practical measures for people to protect themselves and their property, and ensuring that the Agency's Floodline service gives accurate and timely advice.
	In addition, the EA will continue to promote a Flood Risk Management Plan for the area in partnership with local authorities and other organisations. Through the plan, the EA will seek to manage and reduce flood risk through the control of development in the flood plain, provide an enhanced flood warning strategy and deal with the longer term impacts of climate change. The EA is also reappraising options for flood alleviation measures in areas at risk of flooding.

Flood Defence

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the role the Jubilee River scheme played in this month's floods in the lower Thames Valley.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 31 January 2003
	The Environment Agency's (EA) initial findings from measurements made from weir gauges is that there is no evidence that the Jubilee River has caused downstream water levels to rise, and that in the recent flooding event, the rates of rise upstream and downstream of the Jubilee River were very comparable.
	The EA has commissioned independent engineering consultants to rerun an updated hydraulic model using 2003 flood data to determine the impact on downstream flood levels. Their preliminary findings show no significant difference between downstream levels, with or without the flood alleviation channel, in the River Thames just downstream of where the Jubilee River rejoins it. I understand the EA plans to make this data and the analysis available to the public.

Flood Defence

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of key flood defence systems in urban areas were in (a) good condition, or better and (b) poor condition, or worse on (i) 1 January 2001, (ii) 1 January 2002 and (iii) 1 January 2003.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 3 February 2003
	Flood defence assets are defined as one of two types, defences or structures and each type has been assessed separately. Defences are generally linear barriers such as embankments or walls etc. between the river (or sea) and the area defended while structures include outfalls, sluices, weirs or pumping stations.
	Currently, the Environment Agency does not differentiate between urban and rural communities in line with Defra High Level Targets.
	Tables 1 and 2 show the condition of the defences and structures respectively, assessed during the financial years 2000–01 and 2001–02. There is no comparative data available at present from the inspections carried out during the current financial year, that data will be available by April 2003 to allow reporting of High Level Target 5 to Defra.
	
		Table 1. Condition of main river and sea defences 2000–01 and 2001–02 -- Percentage of total length
		
			  Very good Good Fair Poor Very poor 
		
		
			 2001 6.2 58.1 32.1 3.2 0.4 
			 2002 5.5 53.2 36.2 4.4 0.7 
		
	
	
		Table 2. Condition of main river and sea defence structures 2000–01 and 2001–02 -- Percentage of total number
		
			  Very good Good Fair Poor Very poor 
		
		
			 2001 12.3 47.9 31.6 5.7 2.5 
			 2002 9.8 46.7 33.5 7.0 3.0 
		
	
	Notes:
	The method used to identify the number of assets is flexible, allowing them to be classified as either a complete structure or as a number of components, this leads to apparent anomalies in the data reported. Work is being undertaken to ensure that by April 2003 reporting is fully consistent.
	The duration covered by the data set is too short to allow any meaningful analysis of any trends in changes to the condition of assets. In addition, there are variations in the way that the data has been collected that are still being resolved, in effect the data set is still being "bedded down" and any apparent trends are as likely to be as a result of changes to the data as to changes to the defences and structures. It could be a number of years before meaningful trends start to emerge from the data.

Flood Insurance

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department will take over cases where insurance companies are not honouring the Statement of Principles on flood insurance.

Elliot Morley: It is not for Government to intervene in commercial decisions taken by individual insurance companies. It is for the Association of British Insurers and not for Government to take appropriate action where the actions of their member companies are not in line with the Statement of Principles. Government will be continuing discussions with the ABI, who will be reviewing the Statement of Principles annually.

Flood Management (Thames Valley)

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress with the preparation of a catchment flood management plan for the Thames Valley.

Elliot Morley: The Department is promoting the Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP) initiative with the Environment Agency and has to date made funds available for five pilot studies. The Agency has developed a programme for delivery of CFMPs to cover the whole of England over the next five years.
	The Thames valley will be covered by eight plans; one for the River Thames itself and seven others on the major tributaries. The scoping phase of these plans has just started and is programmed to be complete by September.
	Once the scoping work has been completed, subject to a satisfactory review of the five pilot plans, the main studies will begin. Currently, the eight plans for the Thames valley are scheduled to be completed by December 2005.

Flooding

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the risk of development in areas at risk of flooding as a result of the Government's proposals for large-scale housing development in the (a) Milton Keynes, (b) Ashford and (c) Thames Gateway areas.

Margaret Beckett: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's proposals for large-scale housing development in Milton Keynes, Ashford, Thames Gateway and the Lond-Stansted-Cambridge area were announced in his statement on sustainable communities, housing and planning on 18 July 2002, Official Report, column 438. Development proposals will be subject to an appropriate flood-risk assessment and full consultation with the Environment Agency.
	For example, Thames Gateway Strategic Executive have been co-operating with the agency for over a year. The agency is a member of the Environment Sub-Group of the Strategic Partnership. It has already produced environmental constraint maps for each of the zones of change within Thames Gateway. A similar level of co-operation and consultation will form the basis for detailed proposals in the other major growth areas.

Flooding (Bedfordshire)

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the (a) flood precautions taken by responsible authorities in Bedfordshire prior to and during the flooding between 2 and 5 January, and (b) the inquiry process following those floods; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Following the new year floods the Environment Agency have conducted numerous internal reviews concerning their flood warning and operational roles. The agency have also attended reviews held and have meetings programmed with other operating authorities to take supervisory duty matters further. The outcomes of and actions from these meetings will, where appropriate, be taken forward and used to improve the service offered during a flood event.
	In terms of post event activity, the Environment Agency have had aerial photography and level survey returned, this will feed into mapping and flood defence improvements studies, as well as help review flood warning trigger levels.
	The agency have also requested (and are in the process of receiving back) information from affected parish councils and professional partners (police, IDBs etc.). It is essential that local input about the locations affected is received, so that the magnitude of the flooding can be accurately reported and any local issues can be highlighted and, where appropriate, taken forward with the appropriate authorities/individuals, to reduce flood risk in the future.

Flooding (Bedfordshire)

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the impact on river levels and flooding of the speed of run-off from the built environment.

Elliot Morley: It has long been recognised that traditional urban development has an impact on downstream flood flows, typically reducing the time between the rainfall event and the peak flow in the river. This is, for example, incorporated in standard procedures for flood risk assessment set out in the Flood Estimation Handbook produced by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology with the support of extensive research funded by the Department. It is for this reason that PPG25 promotes the use of sustainable drainage systems for new development that aim to mitigate such impacts. The Environment Agency, as a statutory consultee to the planning authorities, is committed to ensuring that new development adopts such measures, where appropriate, to minimise impact on river levels and flood risk.
	In Bedfordshire, the Environment Agency in conjunction with partner organisations is actively involved in the Milton Keynes surface water drainage strategy (River Great Ouse and tributaries, upstream of Bedfordshire). It has also been in partnership with other organisations (Beds and Ivel IDE) to produce the Marston Vale surface waters plan. These are examples of initiatives that aim to develop long-term strategies to address surface water run-off problems from development in the relevant areas.

Flooding (Bedfordshire)

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of flooding in Bedfordshire from 2 to 5 January, with particular reference to the rivers (a) Great Ouse, (b) Ivel and (c) Flit; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Information is still being received and collated. Current data indicates that the number of properties that suffered internal flooding on the:
	Great Ouse between Turvey and Little Barford is 7;
	Rivers Ivel and Flit, Ickleford to Tempsford, including Shefford, is 50.
	There were numerous road closures and evacuations in the area, including the A1 at Sandy. Details of these are still being received from other authorities. It should be noted that the recently completed Flood Defence Improvement Scheme in Bedford protected some 30 properties from flooding during the new year flood.

Flooding (Spelthorne)

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many properties are at risk of flooding in Spelthorne; and what proportion are provided with a flood warning service.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 3 February 2003
	The Environment Agency's maps show that 11,694 properties fall within the 1 per cent. probability or 1 in 100 years flood return period in the Spelthorne flood plain. These maps show the indicative floodplain area, not flood risk or definitive flood boundaries, and are based on land topography taking noaccount of the defences which are in place. The Environment Agency, with Defra funding, is creating more refined maps which will take account of likely depth of flooding and also current and planned flood defences. Pilot maps for four areas should be available soon with complete coverage planned for later in the year. To support this improved understanding of flood risk on a national basis, the EA are also developing a National Flood and Coastal Defence Database, again with funding from Defra. The aim of the project is to provide a single, easily accessible definitive store for all data on flood and coastal defences.
	The Flood Warning service provides 100 per cent. coverage in Spelthorne, through Floodline, the internet and the media. At present 99 properties in Spelthorne Borough have been offered the Environment Agency's automatic voice messaging service to receive flood warnings direct to their telephones.

GM Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of genetically modified hybrid maize exhibiting glysophate and insect resistance (NK603 x MON 810).

Michael Meacher: The assessment is in progress. The UK is the lead competent authority for this application from Monsanto under Directive 2001/18 on the release of GMOs to the environment. Monsanto has applied for consent to import into the European Community this GM maize grain for use as or in food and feed products. The application is for import only and does not cover proposed cultivation uses. The UK authorities are required to assess whether the GMO in question should be placed on the European Community market and, if so, under what conditions. If the UK authorities form the view that the application does comply with Directive 2001/18, other member states and the European Commission will then have the opportunity to comment on the assessment or raise reasoned objections as regards possible risks to the environment or human health. The assessment will be made available to the public. No decision on the placing of the product on the market can be made until other member states and the Commission have given their views.

Illegal Meat Imports

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many prosecutions were made for seizures of illegal meats and bushmeat in 2002 at (a) airports and (b) seaports.

Elliot Morley: Figures on prosecutions for the illegal importation of meat are not collected centrally. Responsibility for prosecutions under the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) Regulations lies with local authorities, and under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, with HM Customs.
	We are aware of one successful prosecution brought by Crawley borough council in July, and six cautions issued by the London Port Health Authority in October. All were brought under the Products of Animal Origin regulations. There were no prosecutions made in 2002 under CITES regulations.

Illegal Meat Imports

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantity of illegal meat was seized coming into the UK at each airport and seaport in each of the last 22 months; and what percentage of each seizure was defined as bushmeat.

Elliot Morley: The table shows details of the quantities of illegal meats seized in each of the last 22 months, and the amount of bushmeat seized as a proportion of all seizures of Products of Animal Origin. The information requested against each airport and seaport would be available only at a disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Date Number of meat seizures Quantity of meat seized (kg) Quantity of bushmeat seized (kg) Bushmeat as percentage of all seizures 
		
		
			 2001  
			 April 154 943 237 1.5 
			 May 95 2,170 932 16.2 
			 June 84 521 34 1.1 
			 July 75 425 71 1.3 
			 August 174 9,577 68 0.4 
			 September 128 735 125 1.7 
			 October 125 1,251 282 4.1 
			 November 76 224 29 0.1 
			 December 53 183 11 4.5 
			 2002 
			 January 124 546 33 0.9 
			 February 70 991 35 0.8 
			 March 99 1,980 953 27.0 
			 April 112 361 18 1.1 
			 May 84 531 197 6.9 
			 June 113 538 130 6.5 
			 July 158 1,445 149 3.3 
			 August 171 2,183 116 2.8 
			 September 143 839 90 1.3 
			 October 184 816 53 0.6 
			 November 156 1,346 301 3.8 
			 December 236 1,400 175 2.1 
			 2003 
			 1–17 January 66 165 27 2.8 
			 Total 2,680 29,172 4,065 2.5 
		
	
	Bushmeat is defined as the meat of any wild animal hunted for food. It is not necessarily from endangered species. There is little evidence that meat from endangered species for human consumption is entering the country on a large scale. Indeed, bushmeat forms a very small proportion of illegal imports seized—around 2.5 per cent. Chicken or pork make up the vast majority of reported meat seizures.

Illegal Meat Imports

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had with the governments of countries from which bushmeat is illegally imported.

Elliot Morley: Bushmeat is defined as the meat of any wild animal hunted for food. It forms only a very small proportion of illegal imports seized—around 2.5 per cent. Chicken or pork make up the vast majority of seizures.
	To date, we have made general approaches through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the governments of other countries, to promote awareness of our import rules on meat and animal products. We are continuing to work with our posts and embassies abroad to raise awareness of our import rules at points of departure.
	Although only a very small proportion of bushmeat is derived from endangered species, the issue was discussed at the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) conference in Chile last November, and the UK welcomed the conference decision to renew the mandate of the CITES Bushmeat Working Group which comprises a number of central and east African states and was set up to look at practical ways of dealing with this problem at national and regional levels.

Integrated Administration and Control Systems

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many agricultural holdings in England and Wales were registered for the use of Integrated Administration and Control System forms in 1995; and what the most recent figure is.

Alun Michael: I can confirm that in respect of England 79,431 agricultural holdings were registered for IACS in 1995 and 69,314 were registered in 2002.
	In respect of Wales, 19,963 agricultural holdings were registered for IACS in 1995 and 16,774 for 2002.

Live Animal Exports

Gwyn Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) live sheep and (b) live pigs were exported from the United Kingdom between 2 November and 31 December 2002 for (i) slaughter, (ii) further fattening and (iii) breeding; and how many (A) sheep and (B) pigs in each of these categories were exported to each individual country of destination.

Elliot Morley: The number of live sheep and live pigs certified for export from the United Kingdom between 2 November and 31 December 2002 for slaughter, further fattening and breeding are shown in the following tables:
	
		
			 Country of destination Breeding Fattening Slaughter 
		
		
			 Live sheep
			 France 118 17,877 19,630 
			 Republic of Ireland 165 0 76,513 
			 Belgium 5 0 50 
			 Germany 0 0 2,285 
			 Italy 0 0 2,854 
			 Netherlands 15 0 0 
			 Isle of Man 26 0 0 
			 Total 329 17,877 101,332 
			 
			 Live Pigs
			 Republic of Ireland 0 0 2,037 
			 Belgium 863 0 0 
			 Germany 701 0 0 
			 Italy 307 0 0 
			 Netherlands 399 0 0 
			 Spain 227 0 0 
			 Total 2,497 0 2,037 
		
	
	These figures are derived from the computer system used to issue export health certificates and are subject to updating and amendment.

Live Animal Exports

Gwyn Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many live sheep were exported from Dover to continental Europe on (a) 18 January and (b) 22 January; when and where health certification was carried out in respect of the sheep; how many of the sheep were rejected as unfit for the intended journey (i) during inspection for health certification purposes and (ii) at Dover docks; where those sheep were taken; and what the address was of the final destination given on the route plan for each of the consignments.

Elliot Morley: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Sailing Date Total animals certified Where consignments were certified Animals rejected at certification Animals rejected at Dover docks Destination 
		
		
			 18/1 2,557 England 0 1 Germany 
			 22/1 2,517 England and Wales 19 0 Belgium and France 
		
	
	The sheep for the consignments listed in the table were certified within 48 hours prior to export. The sailing on 18.01.2003 was for slaughter animals which went to an approved slaughterhouse, while the sailing on 22.01.2003 was for fattening animals which were transported to holdings. The animals rejected at certification and at Dover docks remained in Great Britain.

Nutrition

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department and its agencies have spent in the last 12 months for which figures are available on promoting the consumption of fruit and vegetables.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 20 January 2003
	Neither Defra nor any of its agencies have funded promotion of fruit and vegetable consumption in the last 12 months. The Department of Health leads and funds the Government's five-a-day programme, including the national school fruit scheme.

Ofwat

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Office of Water Service's service delivery agreement for 2003 to 2006 will be published.

Elliot Morley: The Office of Water Services (Ofwat) does not have a service delivery agreement, as this has not been required by the Treasury since 2000. Instead, Ofwat publishes a forward programme. A consultative draft titled, "Forward Programme for 2003–04 to 2005–06", was published in November 2002, and the final version will be published in March 2003.

Pet Shops

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the regulations regarding pet shops, with specific reference to (a) the age at which children can buy animals and (b) the conditions in which animals are kept.

Elliot Morley: I am currently in the process of reviewing the legislation relating to the welfare of captive and domestic animals, including that which relates to the sale of pet animals.

Pet Shops

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidelines are issued to pet shops regarding the housing and sale of animals.

Elliot Morley: The Pet Animals Act 1951 sets out the conditions under which animals are housed and sold.
	The legislation relating to the welfare of captive and domestic animals, including that which relates to the sale of pet animals, is currently under review.

Recyling

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what representations she has received concerning the impact of the 2003 packaging recycling targets on the market for PRNs;
	(2)  what forecasts have been made of the likely price of PRNs following the announcement of the UK's 2003 packaging waste recycling targets;
	(3)  for what reason the Department did not carry out a formal public consultation on the 2003 packaging waste recovery and recycling targets;
	(4)  what representations she has received from the reprocessing industry on the effect on the recycling market in 2003 of the decision not to increase the UK's 2003 packaging waste recycling targets;
	(5)  what estimate she has made of the likely effect on the overall level of recycling taking place in the UK in 2003 of the decision not to increase the UK's 2003 packaging waste recycling targets;
	(6)  what (a) informal consultations or discussions her Department held and (b) representations from the reprocessing industry she received before taking the decision not to increase the UK's packaging waste recovery and recycling targets in 2003.

Michael Meacher: I announced on 17 October 2002 that there would be no change to the packaging waste recycling targets in the UK for 2003. Before the decision was taken to leave the targets unchanged, we consulted with other departments, including the DTI, Cabinet Office and the Treasury. We are required to hold a public consultation only if changes are being proposed to the Regulations. The decision to make no changes to the targets was taken largely because we did not know what targets the new EC Directive is going to set, nor to what deadline. Under these circumstances, I was unwilling to go into a consultation which would have meant 2003 targets being announced well into 2003.
	We have received a number of letters from British Glass regarding the effects of leaving the targets unchanged on the PRN market. Concern was also voiced at the December meeting of the compliance scheme body (CoSWiG) which I attended.
	We expect the level of recycling to rise slightly in 2003, consistent with the increase in the amount of packaging in the waste stream, but it could be greater if additional obligated businesses are identified. Estimates of available capacity, and of PRN prices, are affected, too, by an ongoing examination of whether reprocessing claimed so far in 2002 relates exclusively to packaging waste, and as to how far other factors have a significant influence. It is also expected that industry will be focussing in 2003 on starting the process necessary to have the requisite collection capacity in place in 2004–05. Inaction now will make the period 2004–08 more difficult. We expect to consult later this year on business targets in the packaging Regulations for the period 2004–08, or at least on targets for three years, to be rolled forward. It will be important for industry to set action in hand now if they are to have the necessary infrastructure in place to meet what are certainly higher targets in this period.

Service Delivery Agreement

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Forestry Commission's Service Delivery Agreement for 2003 to 2006 will be published.

Elliot Morley: The Forestry Commission Service Delivery Agreement was published on 29 January 2003. It can be viewed on the Forestry Commission website (www.forestry.gov.uk)

Thames Flood Management Plan

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress made in preparing the Thames Catchment Flood Management Plan.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 4 February 2003
	The Department is promoting the Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP) initiative with the Environment Agency and has to date made funds available for five pilot studies. The Agency has developed a programme for delivery of CFMPs to cover the whole of England over the next five years.
	The Thames Valley will be covered by eight plans; one for the River Thames itself and seven others on the major tributaries. The scoping phase of these plans has just started and is programmed to be complete by September.
	Once the scoping work has been completed, subject to a satisfactory review of the five pilot plans, the main studies will begin. Currently, the eight plans for the Thames Valley are scheduled to be completed by December 2005.

United Nations Environment Programme

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the annual contribution to UNEP has been in each year since 1997; and what the anticipated contribution will be in the next financial year.

Michael Meacher: The United Kingdom Government places a high value on the work of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and since 1997 has contributed 4.2 million annually to UNEP's Environment Fund. A decision has yet to be taken on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair's budget for UNEP for the next financial year.

Waste

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her assessment is of the cost per tonne of the environmental externalities associated with (a) landfill and (b) incineration.

Margaret Beckett: The most recent estimates published by the Government are contained in the Waste Strategy 2000 for England and Wales, Part 2, Appendix B. (Cm 4693–2) (http://defraweb/environment/waste/strategy/cm4693/index.htm). This contains the following information.
	Several studies have been published which attempt to value the environmental costs and benefits of different waste management options. It is difficult to make comparison between these studies, as they adopt different assumptions about technology used, emissions factors, environmental impact of emissions and economic values of environmental impacts. They do not all have the same coverage of environmental impact and some emissions and impacts are omitted due to absent data. Some studies do not adequately report the uncertainty in their estimates of environmental costs, and these are likely to be significant.
	Most of the work done so far looks at single waste management options (ETU 1996), single materials (BNMA 1995), or compares the environmental costs of incineration and landfill (CSERGE 1993). Only one major study (Coopers and Lybrand 1997) compares incineration, landfill and recycling the different fractions of MSW. The result of these studies generally support the view that recycling has net environmental benefits over incineration and landfill (with the possible exception of certain materials, such as plastic film). The results of the Coopers and Lybrand (1997) study are shown in the table (Table C4, options with negative external cost have net environmental benefits). However, these estimates seem to omit the costs of leachate from landfills, all disamenity costs and some of the environmental costs of processing for recycling.
	
		Table C4 External costs and benefits of different waste management options
		
			 Waste management option External cost estimate £ per tonne of waste,1999 prices 
		
		
			 Landfill 3 
			 Incineration (displacing average-mix electricity generation) -17 
			 Recycling -161 
			 Ferrous metal -297 
			 Non-ferrous metal -929 
			 Glass -196 
			 Paper -69 
			 Plastic film 17 
			 Rigid plastic -48 
			 Textiles -66 
		
	
	Source:Adapted from Cooper and Lybrand (1997)
	CSERGE (1993) suggests that existing rural landfill sites without energy recovery may have net external costs of between £1.09 and £10.90 per tonne (1999 prices). These estimates exclude disamenity costs which the study suggests could be significant. The same study suggests that urban incinerators with energy recovery may have net external benefits up to £15.20 per tonne, through to a net environmental cost £4.10 per tonne (1999 prices). However, this does not reflect potential disamenity impacts and it assumes that the electricity generated displaces in that of a coal-fired power station.
	These estimates of external costs should be viewed with caution, due to the level of uncertainty in quantifying and valuing impacts, particularly those on human health. However they do provide an indication of the relative impacts of different waste management options—while recognising that the external costs per tonne of waste may vary according to location and the quantity of waste sent to each option.

DEFENCE

Aircraft Carriers

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason HMS Invincible and HMS Illustrious are in extended readiness and refit simultaneously.

Adam Ingram: Neither HMS Invincible nor HMS Illustrious are currently in extended readiness.
	HMS Invincible is nearing completion of her refit at Rosyth and, following sea trials, is planned to return to the Fleet in May 2003. HMS Illustrious commenced her refit at Rosyth in Mid November 2002. These refits are part of the planned maintenance cycle for aircraft carriers. The short overlap is operationally manageable.

Ammunition Stocks

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the level is of war stocks held in the UK; and what level of stocks are held of each ammunition type.

Adam Ingram: Specific information relating to ammunition stock levels is withheld under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Infonnation. However, I can confirm that the Ministry of Defence has a stockpile of munitions held against the risk of short notice conflicts. Stockpile planning is subject to continuous review in order to ensure that it reflects as accurately as possible the likely nature of conflicts in which the United Kingdom Armed Forces could become involved.

Armed Forces (Inoculations)

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether armed forces personnel are obliged to sign legal waivers in advance of the administering of Chemical Biological Warfare inoculations.

Lewis Moonie: No. There is no requirement for Service personnel included in any vaccination programme to sign any waivers or disclaimers, whether they accept the vaccinations or not. Personnel may be asked to confirm that they have received the necessary briefings, and units may maintain administrative records of which personnel have received the necessary briefings, need to be re-offered vaccines, or receive boosters, so that the continuity of immunisation programmes can be maintained. However, none of these records constitutes a legal waiver or disclaimer, and none supplants the Ministry of Defence's responsibilities in respect of the health and safety of Service personnel.

Armoured Vehicles

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what levels of spares are being taken overseas for the (a) Challenger 2 tank and (b) Warrior fighting vehicle.

Adam Ingram: All units deploy with their Unit Spares Accounts (USAs) stocked with 30 days of spares required to carry out level 1 and 2 repairs (repairs carried out by the user and unit attached Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer tradesmen). Royal Eogistic Corps support units hold farther spares, reflecting anticipated usage rates derived using lessons learnt from Exercises such as SAIF SAREEA II.

Carlyle Group

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the departmental minute placed in the Library on 17 December 2002, if he will estimate the maximum potential value of the retained liabilities to which the taxpayer will be exposed as a consequence of the sale of a 33.8 per cent. shareholding in QinetiQ to Carlyle Group.

Lewis Moonie: As disclosed in the departmental minute of 17 December 2002, there is a group of warranties for which Ministry of Defence has a maximum liability equivalent to the cash proceeds received in relation to the transaction. The precise value of these proceeds will not be confirmed until after the completion accounts have been finalised, but is currently forecast to be £140 to £150 million. In setting MOD's maximum liability to the purchaser, we have deducted the £50 million already received as part of the PPP process, as this was a previous payment made directly to MOD by QinetiQ.
	In addition, as set out in the departmental minute, MOD has given further indemnities for which the maximum possible exposure is as follows:
	compensation for the premature cancellation for the 25-year Long Term Partnering Agreement for Ranges and Test and Evaluation services (sliding scale from £40 million in year one to zero at the end of year three);
	an actuarial adjustment to the QinetiQ pension fund (maximum £45 million);
	certain specific provisions in QinetiQ's accounts (maximum £4.3 million); and
	costs arising but not yet incurred related to vesting of QinetiQ (maximum £3 million).
	The actual costs that might arise in these areas are impossible to predict. However, MOD has taken measures which we believe reduce the potential financial risks to a very low level, and we do not anticipate making significant payments against these contingent liabilities.

Civil Contingency Reaction Force

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the recruitment targets for the new Civil Contingency Reaction Force are; and when he expects them to be reached.

Adam Ingram: We are planning on the basis of up to 500 volunteers from existing Volunteer Reserve personnel being accepted for each of the fourteen Civil Contingencies Reaction Forces by 31 December 2003.

Civil Contingency Reaction Force

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what interim measures have been put in place in advance of the introduction of the new Civil Contingency Reaction Force.

Adam Ingram: The Civil Contingencies Reaction Forces are a means of expanding the existing capacity of the Armed Forces to respond to requests for assistance from local authorities and the emergency services. No interim measures were therefore required. Recruiting among Volunteer Reserve personnel has started and all CCRFs could already deploy sub-units if necessary. Their capability will build up as recruiting and training proceeds.

Deepcut Barracks

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the civilian medical practitioner at Deepcut Barracks was suspended in March 2000; at what salary the practitioner was retained; what payments have been made to the practitioner subsequently; and for what reason the officer responsible decided not to advertise for a full time replacement.

Lewis Moonie: For reasons relating to confidentiality and the provisions of the Data Protection Act, it is not Ministry of Defence policy to release or discuss information relating to an identifiable individual without that individual's consent. I am also withholding details in accordance with Exemption 12, Privacy of an Individual, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The Civilian Medical Practitioner post at Deepcut was advertised once the Ministry of Defence was in a position to do so, but two recruitment campaigns have been unsuccessful. A military medical officer will, however, fill the post in February 2003.

Deepcut Barracks

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the employment agencies used to provide locum civilian practitioners at Deepcut Barracks; what payments were made to each agency; how many weeks each locum civilian practitioner remained at the Barracks; and how many locum civilian practitioners and agencies have made complaints against (a) officers and (b) others at the Barracks since March 2000.

Lewis Moonie: The following Agencies have provided locum civilian medical practitioners at Deepcut Barracks since March 2000, and have been paid the stated amounts:
	
		
			 Agency Amount (£) 
		
		
			 CB Locums 1,961,15 
			 Locums UK 14,000.80 
			 Holt 4,994,09 
		
	
	In addition, a number of non-agency locums have been employed within this period; total payments in these cases have amounted to £148,575.90.
	The majority of locum CMPs remained at the Barracks for one or two weeks, with one staying for five weeks and a small number only for two days.
	There has been a complaint from one locum doctor in the period in question. This is against both officers at the barracks and others (including other locums).

Drug Tests (Military Barracks)

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the result was of statistical analysis of random drug tests at Deepcut and Catterick Barracks in each year since they were first introduced.

Lewis Moonie: The Army does not store the required data in a format that enables the information to be easily scrutinized. As it will take some time for officials to extract the data required, I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Forces Accommodation (Portland)

Jim Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the freehold for the Hardy accommodation blocks at Portland was in the Department's ownership when they were sold.

Lewis Moonie: Forty percent freehold land at the Hardy Blocks, Portland, was in the Ministry of Defence's ownership when they were sold.

Friendly Fire

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what precautions have been introduced when UK service personnel are deployed with foreign forces to reduce the risk of casualties from friendly fire.

Adam Ingram: It is standard practice, when deploying with the United States or other allied forces, to engage in thorough consultation and planning to ensure that clear and reliable Combat Identification measures are prepared. The House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts published a report in 2002 on Combat Identification in which they said in relation to our deployment last year to Afghanistan with US forces:
	"The Ministry of Defence has taken care when deploying troops to Afghanistan to ensure that the risk of fratricide was minimised through dialogue with American forces regarding tactics, techniques and procedures. Liaison through the two countries enables the respective chains of command to define areas where respective forces operate and to determine how the global positioning system is operated. There is scope for similar dialogue with countries other than the United States for other operations." (56th Report 2001–02 para 14).
	In relation to possible operations in the Gulf, we are working closely with allies to establish robust arrangements on Combat Identification that maximise interoperability and we will acquire additional equipment in time for any potential conflict to enable our forces to operate effectively alongside coalition forces.

Friendly Fire

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment of combat identification has been made in relation to reducing the risk of friendly fire.

Adam Ingram: We assess that combat identification, which comprises the three elements of situational awareness, target identification and tactics, techniques and procedures, serves to minimise the risk of fratricide. We continue to review and update our combat identification capability, as required.

Friendly Fire

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) the US Government and (b) other NATO allies regarding combat identification and friendly fire.

Adam Ingram: Ministry of Defence officials have frequent contact with their counterparts in the US Department of Defense on combat identification, which serves, to improve combat effectiveness and minimise the risk of fratricide. Discussions on combat identification have also recently taken place with the US and with other NATO allies in NATO's Identification Sub-Committee 7, which last met on 15–17 January 2003, and in the context of the 5-Power National Armament Directors International Co-operative Opportunities Group (comprising France, Germany, Italy, UK, US), which last met on 13–14 January 2003.

Gulf

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which RAMC units will be deployed in support of the task force being deployed to the Gulf; what their last three operational tasks were, and the length between them; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 28 January 2003
	There are no RAMC units. Personnel from the RAMC, and other Army Medical Services, contribute to medical units as appropriate.
	On current planning the following medical units will deploy on Op TELIC: 1 Close Support Med Regiment (reinforced with a Squadron from 3 Close Support Med Regiment); 16 Close Support Med Regiment; 4 General Support Med Regiment; 5 General Support Med Regiment (with elements of 3 Close Support Med Regiment). These Regiments were formed between 1999 and 2000, and since that date there have been no regimental level, operational deployments.
	It is also planned that 22 Field Hospital, 33 Field Hospital and 34 Field Hospital will deploy as part of Op TELIC. None of these has deployed as a fully formed unit since Op GRANBY, in 1991.

HMS Sheffield

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) original cost and (b) annual operating cost is of HMS Sheffield.

Adam Ingram: The cost of HMS Sheffield's construction, including all weapon systems and equipment, was £159 million.
	Her annual operating cost; including manpower, fuel and port visits, depreciation and cost of capital is assessed to be £35 million. This is an annual average figure based on direct costs charged for financial year 2001–02, which was the last full financial year prior to her decommissioning in November 2002. In addition, during 1992 HMS Sheffield underwent a planned docking period for routine repair work. While the exact cost of the period is no longer available, it is estimated that it would have cost some £5 million to £6 million, based on other similar work at the time. In 1996, HMS Sheffield underwent a major refit at a cost of about £15.9 million. This was her last major upkeep period.

JDAMS

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks his Department holds of JDAMS; and how many are available for use by forces in the Gulf.

Adam Ingram: Details of munitions available for deployment to the Gulf region could provide a potential adversary with information that could undermine our defence capabilities. This information is therefore withheld in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

MOD Building

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) rooms and (b) offices are in the main Ministry of Defence building.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence Main Building in Whitehall is currently undergoing a major redevelopment to convert it from cellular office space to an open plan environment. The design incorporates a number of conference, meeting and study rooms on each floor, approximately 320 in total, but there will be only nine offices occupied by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, Ministers and senior officers and officials.

Naval Ships (Gulf)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provisions he has made for the air defence of naval ships in the event of hostilities in the Gulf; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: In the Gulf, force protection, including air defence, is already provided jointly across coalition forces. Royal Navy ships have the necessary equipment to ensure that they are able to achieve a high degree of integration with coalition assets. Force protection is an issue that is well practised and understood. In addition, the Naval Task Group includes an escort force matched to the size of the Task Group. That escort force is able to provide air, surface and underwater protection. Merlin and Sea Kings with their early warning systems are also available.

QinetiQ

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the on-site security arrangements put in place to ensure continued physical protection of research sites divided between QinetiQ and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratories.

Lewis Moonie: QinetiQ, is a commercial company and is required to comply with Cabinet Office and commercial regulations set for companies involved in carrying out sensitive defence work. The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), as a Ministry of Defence Agency continues to be mandated by MOD security standards. The MOD is satisfied that appropriate, and robust security arrangements have been established at both QinetiQ and DSTL sites.

Radio Equipment

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what personal portable radio equipment, other than Clansmen, is issued to troops deploying to the Gulf; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Personal Role Radios have been issued to troops, primarily in infantry units, deploying to the Gulf.

RAF Buchan

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the drawdown of RAF Buchan.

Adam Ingram: As the hon. Member will be aware, an Options Study has been completed to determine the most operationally efficient manning levels at RAF Buchan. A decision on the way forward will be made shortly and I will write to the hon. Member with details of arrangements to be put in place for the drawdown of RAF Buchan.

Territorial Army

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Territorial Army soldiers who have not signed for service under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 are liable for mobilisation.

Lewis Moonie: All members of the Territorial Army may be called out when a call-out order made under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 is in force. However, it is Ministry of Defence policy that members of the Territorial Army whose reserve liabilities predate the Reserve Forces Act 1996 are only called out if they had a liability under a corresponding power in the Reserve Forces Act 1980 unless they voluntarily elected to assume the liabilities of the 1996 Act.
	Five call-out orders are currently in force. Of these, three were made under Section 54 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 and two were made under Section 56 of that Act. The corresponding power to Section 54 was Section of the 11 Reserve Forces Act 1980. The majority of members of the Territorial Army had a liability under that section and are therefore liable to be called out. However, there is no call-out power in the 1980 Act which corresponds to section 56 of the 1996 Act. Therefore reservists whose liabilities predate the Reserve Forces Act 1996 and who did not voluntarily elect to assume the liabilities under that Act are not called out under that section.

Terrorism

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how quickly he estimates the armed forces would be able to deploy, with full protective equipment, to deal with a terrorist incident involving chemical, biological or radiological materials, should they be called upon to do so by the civil departments;
	(2)  what plans he has to procure more equipment for dealing with a terrorist incident involving chemical, biological or radiological materials.

Adam Ingram: I am withholding information about the capability of the Armed Forces to assist in the response to a terrorist incident involving chemical, biological or radiological materials, including notice to move, response times and equipment procurement plans, in accordance with Exemption la of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. I refer the hon Member to the supplementary memorandum provided by the Ministry of Defence on 10 April 2002 in response to a question from the Defence Select Committee during their inquiry into Defence and Security in the United Kingdom (HC 518-n Col Ev100 Q456).

Troop Deployment

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which countries British troops are stationed; and how many troops there are in each posting.

Lewis Moonie: I refer my hon. Friend to Tri-Service Publication 6 (TSP 6), "Global Location of Service Personnel", a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library. This is a quarterly publication, the latest edition is as at 1 October 2002.

Warship Repairs

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the state of repair is of (a) HMS Trafalgar and (b) HMS Nottingham; what the estimated cost of repairs is for each; when they are scheduled to be back in the operating fleet; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: On the repair of HMS Trafalgar, I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 20 January 2003 (Official Report, column 65W) to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr Lewis). Surveys of the damage to Trafalgar have recently been completed and her combined maintenance and repair programme is expected to complete in early 2004. Trafalgar is expected to return to the Fleet in the first quarter of 2004, when she will undertake sea trials and training prior to being available for operational deployment. The estimated cost of the repair work is just over £5 million.
	On HMS Nottingham, I refer the hon. Member to the written statement I made on 3 December 2002, Official Report, column 70WS, and to the answer I gave on 20 January 2003 Official Report, column 64–65W, to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis). The contract for the repair of Nottingham has been placed and the work is underway at Portsmouth.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Military Force

John Burnett: To ask the Solicitor General what principles she takes into account when considering whether the use of military force is permitted under international law.

Harriet Harman: The use of military force is governed by the rules of international law. These rules then have to be considered as to how they apply to the particular circumstances of the case. There is a longstanding convention, followed by successive Governments, that neither the substance of the Law Officers' advice, nor the fact that they have been consulted on a particular matter, is normally disclosed outside Government.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Broadband

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with BT over the introduction of broadband in rural areas.

Stephen Timms: Ministers from the Department of Trade and Industry regularly hold meetings with the senior management team of BT to discuss relevant issues; broadband generally constitutes a major topic of discussion at these meetings.

Broadband

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the local exchanges in South Devon which (a) have been enabled for broadband access and (b) remain without; what the Government's strategy is for increasing broadband facilities; and what the timetable is for delivering these services to South Devon.

Stephen Timms: The Government's UK Broadband Task Force aims to increase broadband facilities by stimulating the market to increase the roll out and take up of broadband throughout the UK, particularly in those areas never previously served by a mass market, terrestrial solution. The Task Force will also be focusing on the aggregation of public sector demand for broadband in a bid to accelerate roll out and render it more efficient.
	There is no specific timetable for delivering broadband services to South Devon in particular; nor does the Government keep lists of which exchanges have and have not been upgraded to deliver ADSL in that area. A list of those exchanges in BT's demand registration scheme where a trigger level has been set can be found at www.bt.com/broadband.

Business Links

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the charging policies are of each sub-regional Business Links organisation in the West Midlands in respect of processing applications from SMEs under the Accelerated Programme; and what guidance is given by her Department to sub-regional Business Links organisations with respect to charges to SMEs wishing to use the Small Business Service.

Nigel Griffiths: West Midland Business Link Operators deliver two elements of the Accelerate Programme. An initial diagnostic review, bench marker analysis, and if appropriate a strategic action plan. In five of the six West Midlands sub regions SME's are not charged for this element, the Business Link Operator for Herefordshire and Worcestershire charge £350 if an action plan is required. The second element comprises a business development project typically requiring 20–30 days of specialist consultancy. SME's are charged 50 per cent. of the consultancy cost. Three Business Link Operators also charge a project management fee of between 5–8 per cent. of total project costs. Staffordshire, Shropshire and Coventry and Warwickshire BLO's do not charge a project management fee.
	The contractual agreement between the Small Business Service and Business Link Operators specifies that the Business Link Operators agree fees with the customer prior to delivery of services.

Employment Agencies

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will lay before Parliament the final draft Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: I am currently considering the representations received during the last consultation exercise on our proposals for the draft Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations and also the implications of the proposed EU Directive on Temporary Agency Workers. I shall lay draft Conduct Regulations before Parliament as soon as possible.

Industrial Action (Post Office)

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many days were lost through industrial action in the Post Office in the last 10 years.

Stephen Timms: I am advised by Royal Mail that the number of working days lost through industrial action in each of the last 10 years and in the current financial year is as follows:
	
		
			 Year at financial year ends (end March) Number of days lost 
		
		
			 1991–92 771 
			 1992–93 4,056 
			 1993–94 17,064 
			 1994–95 37,843 
			 1995–96 63,554 
			 1996–97 810,937 
			 1997–98 44,664 
			 1998–99 15,828 
			 1999–2000 22,199 
			 2000–01 62,908 
			 2001–02 53,168 
			 2002–03 (to December) 5,253

Special Advisers/Press Officers

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by her Department in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and at what cost in each year.

Patricia Hewitt: In relation to Special Advisers I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State in the Cabinet Office on 31 January, Official Report, column 1057W.
	In relation to the Press Officers the answer is as follows:
	
		
			  Number ofPress officers Press office operating costs 
		
		
			 1 January 1995 (3)— (3)— 
			 1 January 1996 (3)— (3)— 
			 1 January 1997 20 (3)— 
			 1 January 1998 17 (3)— 
			 1 January 1999 24 (3)— 
			 1 January 2000 25 (3)— 
			 1 January 2001 23 £1.9 million (2000–01) 
			 1 January 2002 23 £1.7 million (2001–02) 
			 1 January 2003 23 (3)— 
		
	
	(3) Not available
	Figures for earlier years are not readily available.

TREASURY

Food Additives

Charles Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the balance of trade in (a) food colourings and (b) approved food additives was in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 21 January 2003
	I have been asked to reply 
	The Department does not collect statistics on the value of the market and trade for these items.

Inheritance Tax

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the percentage of estates that are liable for inheritance tax in (a) the UK, (b) the South East of England region, (c) Hampshire and (d) the Aldershot constituency.

Dawn Primarolo: It is estimated that about 4 per cent. of estates will pay inheritance tax in the UK in 2002–03. Figures for regions and sub regions are not available for the South East (excluding London) the figure is likely to be about double this. Estimates are not available for Hampshire or Aldershot.

Inland Revenue (Liabilities)

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what total additional liabilities accrued in 2001–02 as a result of the units that previously formed the Financial Intermediaries and Claims Office of the Inland Revenue; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information is not available. From April 2001, as part of the Inland Revenue's modernising programme, the former Financial Intermediaries and Claims Office and other specialist singleton offices were reorganised into six business streams: Capital Taxes; Centre for Non Residents; Charities; Savings, Pensions, Share Schemes; Stamp Taxes; and Trusts. These business streams have been created to deliver better customer focus through end to end policy and operational delivery.
	Further details, including results for 2001–02, are set out in the Inland Revenue Annual Report, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action is being taken by HM Customs and Excise and other enforcement agencies to monitor and prevent the import, under preference, of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements but labelled as made in Israel.

John Healey: The European Commission published in November 2001 a notice in the Official Journal of the European Communities, alerting EC importers of the ineligibility of products originating from settlements in the occupied territories for preferences provided for by the EU/lsrael Association Agreement. Along with customs authorities in other Community member states, Customs and Excise are selecting for verification those imports where preference has been claimed under the terms of the Agreement but where there is evidence that the goods are likely to have been produced in the Occupied Territories. Security for duty is being taken on such imports while verification enquiries are undertaken. Customs require payment of duty if they do not receive adequate confirmation that goods originated in Israel itself.

National Insurance

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of uncollected national insurance was in the latest year for which data are available; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Paymaster General's answer of 20 November 2002, which contains the latest published information, Official Report, column 192W.
	The comparable figure for 2001–02 will be published in the National Insurance Fund Accounts in spring 2003.

Office for National Statistics

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to privatise the Office for National Statistics; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: There are no plans to privatise the Office for National Statistics.

Office for National Statistics

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the annual cost to the Office for National Statistics of the lease of the Drummond Gate offices; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to David Laws, dated 4 February 2003
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question concerning the annual cost to the Office for National Statistics of the lease of the Drummond Gate offices. (95380)
	The current rent payable for the three buildings at Drummond Gate occupied by the Office for National Statistics is £6,260,000 per annum equating to £364 per square metre. The next rent review will take place in 2006.

One-parent Households

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children lived in one-parent households in each year from 1975–76 to 2002–03 in (a) numerical and (b) percentage terms; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from L. Cook to Mr. David Laws, dated 4 February 2003
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question on the number and percentage of children living in one parent households. (95583)
	Historical estimates of the number and percentage of all dependent children living in one-parent families in Great Britain, together with the latest revised estimates, are shown in the table below. The figures relate to children living in families, rather than households, as this is the basis on which such estimates are made.
	An explanation of the method used in making these latest estimates can be found in the article "One parent families—and the dependent children living in them—in Great Britain" published in September 2002 in Population Trends 109.
	The figures for 1998 and 2000 are provisional, while the percentages for 1996 and 1998 have been slightly revised.
	
		Number and percentage of children living in one parent households
		
			  Dependent children living in a one parent family (millions) Percentage of dependent children living in a one parent family 
		
		
			 1971 1.0 8 
			 1981 1.5 11 
			 1990 2.0 17 
			 1991 2.2 18 
			 1996 2.7 20 
			 1998(4) 2.8 22 
			 2000(4) 2.9 25 
		
	
	(4) Provisional

Pensioners' Benefits

Anthony Steen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of pensioners eligible are in receipt of (a) the Minimum Income Guarantee, (b) Council Tax Benefit, (c) Housing Benefit and (d) Attendance Allowance; and what steps he is taking to (i) simplify the system and (ii) encourage a higher take-up of benefits.

Ian McCartney: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested for Minimum Income Guarantee, (MIG) Council Tax Benefit (CTB) and Housing Benefit (HB) is available for financial year 1999–2000 in the DWP report entitled "Income Related Benefits—Estimates of Take-Up". Copies are available in the Library. Estimates covering 2000–01 are scheduled for publication in March 2003.
	We welcome the findings of the recent National Audit Office (NAO) report, "Tackling Pensioner Poverty; encouraging take up of benefits"; which made a number of recommendations to improve the take up of benefits and make them easier to claim. We are pleased that the majority of the actions recommended are already well in train. We have introduced various initiatives to encourage pensioners to take-up the benefits to which they are entitled. As a consequence of one take-up campaign we put an average of £20 a week in the pockets of an extra 140,000 MIG recipients. We are working in partnership with organisations for older people on a series of initiatives and have already introduced a shortened claim form to make it easier for pensioners to claim MIG.
	It is not possible to be precise about the number of pensioners who might be entitled to Attendance Allowance (AA) if they claimed it. This is because entitlement to AA is determined on the customer's specific circumstances which can only be determined after a claim has been made. Up to date estimates of the take up of Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The Disability Benefits Modernisation Programme has been set up to improve the information given to people about AA and the way claims are made. It is working on a range of initiatives including designing a new AA claim form and process, redesigning forms seeking medical evidence and the introduction of improved IT.

Public Service Agreement

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place the technical note underlying the Inland Revenue's Public Service Agreement in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue's technical note will be published shortly, and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Public Service Agreement

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place the technical note underlying Customs and Excise's Public Service Agreement in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The technical note will be published shortly and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Returnable Bottles

David Cameron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the case for a differential tax regime for returnable bottles in order to help reduce the amount of domestic and commercial waste in the UK.

John Healey: No assessment has been made.
	As announced in the Chancellor's pre-Budget report, the Government will be considering how the use of economic instruments can be extended to provide a more comprehensive and coherent framework for waste management.

Royal Mail (VAT)

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions officials from his Department have had with (a) the EU Competition Authority, (b) representatives of the Royal Mail and (c) representatives of Business Post, TPG and Hays DX concerning the Royal Mail's exemption from charging value added tax.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 11 February 2002, Official Report, column 114W.

Savings Tax Directive

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions officials from his Department have had with representatives of the Cayman Islands regarding the EU Savings Tax Directive.

Dawn Primarolo: The Chancellor's Departments have discussed the draft Savings Directive with representatives of the Cayman Islands Government on a number of occasions.
	HM Government have also been in regular contact with the Governor of the Cayman Islands on this issue.

Stamp Duty

Martin Caton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to abolish stamp duty on industrial property.

Ruth Kelly: Ministers have made a clear commitment to a fair tax system, and they keep all aspects of it, including stamp duty rates and thresholds, under regular review. In the 2002 Budget the Chancellor announced a major reform of certain aspects of stamp duty on land and buildings in the UK. A consultative document was published on 17 April 2002, seeking views on the detail of the modernised regime. This document contained no plans to abolish stamp duty on industrial property.
	All commercial property—not just industrial property—will be exempt from stamp duty in 2,000 enterprise areas. The European Commission has now approved this relief under the State Aid rules. An announcement will be made shortly on implementation.

Stamp Duty

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the (a) economic effects and (b) impact on investment stamp duty on share transactions; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: There is no convincing evidence that stamp duty on shares significantly affects either UK companies or the UK markets. As with all taxes, stamp duty on shares has to be understood in the context of the revenue raised, which would otherwise have to be found elsewhere.

Stock Market

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of the removal of Advance Corporation Tax relief on the value of the FTSE 100 share index.

Ruth Kelly: It is not possible with any certainty to attribute movements in share prices to the effects of particular Government tax measures. The Government remains committed to modernizing Corporation Tax in order to raise productivity and encourage long-term investment.

Tobacco Smuggling

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the research on tobacco consumption and smuggling undertaken by Customs and Excise outlined on page 19 of the NAO report, Measuring the performance of Government Departments; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The research on tobacco consumption and smuggling undertaken by Customs and Excise outlined on page 27 of the NAO report, "Measuring the Performance of Government Departments" can be found in "Tackling Tobacco Smuggling", published by HM Customs and Excise and HM Treasury in March 2000, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
	Customs' more recent published research on tobacco smuggling and consumption can be found in chapter 2 of "Protecting indirect tax revenues" and chapter 3 of "Measuring indirect tax losses", both published by Customs and Excise in November 2002.

Trader Liability

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much outstanding trader liabilities were written off by Customs and Excise for financial year 1997–98; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Until 31 December 1998 write-off figures were published on a calendar year basis. Figures for the calendar years 1997 and 1998 were published in Customs Appropriation Accounts and Annual Reports for 1997–98 and 1998–99, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Women Directors

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister for Women what action she has taken to encourage FTSE-100 companies to include more women on their main boards of directors.

Patricia Hewitt: The Chancellor and I asked Derek Higgs to report on the role and effectiveness of non-executive directors. Research for his review, published on 20 January, showed that in the FTSE-100, women represent 11 per cent. of non-executive directors, 3 per cent. of executive directors and 1 per cent. of chairmen.
	Derek Higgs emphasised in his review the importance of promoting meritocracy in the boardroom. He also noted that the composition of a board sends important signals about the values of the company. A commitment to equal opportunities is inevitably undermined, he argued, if the board itself does not follow the same guiding principles. He recommended that there should be a formal, rigorous and transparent process for the appointment of new directors to the boards of listed companies. Companies would need to set out the process used, and explain if external advice or open advertising has not been used. At the start of an appointment process, the balance of skills, knowledge and experience on the board should be evaluated and a description of the role and capabilities prepared for a particular appointment. These will be incorporated in a revised combined code applying to listed companies.
	He also made various proposals to widen the pool from which non-executive directors are drawn, which in many cases would bring in more women. These include more executive directors and senior executives from other companies and directors of private companies, as well as advisers and those from other backgrounds. A small group of business leaders and others will be set up, led by Laura Tyson, Dean of London Business School, to bring to greater prominence candidates from the non-commercial sector. This will describe the profile of relevant skills and experience that make an effective non-executive director with such a background and a list will be developed of around 100 individuals. As women are more strongly represented at senior levels in the non-commercial sector, the expected outcome would be that a significant proportion would be female. The group will report to me in May.
	He also noted that areas where women tend to be more strongly represented are in roles such as human resources, change management and customer care which are not regarded as traditional routes to the board. Yet the issues dealt with in such roles, and the skills needed, are important ones for the board, and he hoped that in future boards would draw more actively from these groups.
	The Government welcomed Derek Higgs' recommendations. We will be looking to listed companies to put them into early effect as they make changes to their boards. I also hope that shareholders will play their part in pressing to ensure meritocracy and diversity in appointments to boards.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Asbestos

John Burnett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the Government's policy is on investigating past asbestos exposures in (a) state and (b) independent schools;
	(2)  what the Government's policy is on requiring school governors to inform those (a) in schools and (b) formerly in schools that they have been exposed to asbestos.

Ivan Lewis: Local education authorities, for maintained schools and proprietors of independent schools have statutory responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, for the health and safety of pupils and employees while they are on the premises.
	The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 (CAWR), will require those with responsibility for the repair and maintenance of non-domestic premises to find out if there are, or may be, asbestos-containing materials within them. It also requires them to record the location and condition of such materials, and then assess and manage any risk from them, including passing on information about their location and condition to anyone liable to disturb them.
	The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) concerned that information on whether buildings have asbestos in them was not always passed to those at risk, proposed a new statutory duty—the duty to manage asbestos—on those responsible for non-domestic premises to determine the presence of asbestos in their buildings, and assess and control the risk from the material. This will be enacted by a new provision, Regulation 4 of CAWR. HSC consulted widely on its proposal and CAWR was laid before Parliament on 31 October 2002 and came into force on 21 November 2002, with an 18-month lead in period for the duty to manage.

Departmental Website

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 19 November 2002, Official Report, column 56W, on the departmental website, how many key partners provide particular website services; and how much was paid to these partners in each of the last five years.

David Miliband: The Department works with approximately 20 external partners who provide specialist web services such as web hosting, site management and research, design and technical build, e-marketing and evaluation of emerging technologies. Individual costs are not available for all of these separate specialist services. However, core programme costs for the Department for Education and Skills central website www.dfes.gov.uk for the last five years (real terms figures in 2001–02 prices) were as follows:
	1997–98: £43,200
	1998–99: £84,200
	1999–2000: £140,300
	2000–01: £266,600
	2001–02: £654,800

Electronic Registration (Secondary Schools)

Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 21 January 2003, Official Report, columns 249–50W, on electronic registration (secondary schools), when the tender for installation of an electronic registration system, Ref. OJEC No. 2001/S 200–137103, issued on 17 October 2001, was discontinued; and for what reasons.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 28 January 2003
	The exercise to procure a panel of suppliers able to offer electronic registration systems to schools was discontinued on 31 May 2002, shortlisted suppliers having been notified that that was our intention on 17 May 2002.
	A significant number of the short listed suppliers were not able to accept the terms and conditions of the draft contract the Department had despatched as part of the Invitation to Tender pack. In the circumstances we decided to abandon the procurement, issuing guidance to schools and local education authorities about how they could nevertheless proceed with introduction of electronic registration systems. Consequently, schools in the project are free to buy systems on the open market subject to ratification by the Department.

Examination Marking

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the potential impact of curriculum changes at secondary level on criterion-referenced examination marking procedure.

David Miliband: Our policy document "14–19: opportunity and excellence" set out our intention to make changes to the curriculum at Key Stage 4 so that schools can offer programmes that better meet young people's individual needs and strengths, while ensuring they acquire the core of general learning and experience essential to later learning and employment. There will be some associated development of GCSE qualifications to further improve the choices open to young people. However, we do not anticipate changes to the criterion-referencing of GCSE examinations.
	We have appointed a Working Group on 14–19 Reform which is to address the need for longer-term reform in relation to improving the quality of vocational options and coherent programmes for all young people, ensuring that assessment within programmes is fit for purpose, and the development of a unified framework of qualifications. The group is to report the group's interim conclusions within one year, with a view to finalising its work within 18 months.

Independent Schools

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the independent schools in England and Wales that qualify for grants from his Department.

David Miliband: Central Government grants are not generally available for schools in the independent sector. However, grants are currently paid to support places at 361 schools remaining in the Assisted Places Scheme, which is being phased out, and at eight independent specialist schools participating in the Music and Dance Scheme. Any of the 34 independent choir schools in membership of the Choir Schools' Association also qualify for Chorister grants through the Choir Schools Scholarship Scheme. A list of these schools is being placed in the Library of the House. Grants are also available to support specific projects for collaborative working under the independent/state school partnerships scheme.
	Independent schools in Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

Learning Funds

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what independent evaluations have been undertaken of the adult and community learning fund since its inception;
	(2)  what plans are in place for (a) the adult and community learning fund and (b) the union learning fund beyond 2004; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how the Department has ensured that lessons from the adult and community learning fund contributed to the development of the neighbourhood renewal strategy;
	(4)  what the Department's annual expenditure on (a) the adult and community learning fund and (b) the union learning fund was in each of the four years up to and including 2002–03;
	(5)  what proportion of projects supported by the adult and community learning fund were based on voluntary and community-based organisations in each year since 1999;
	(6)  how the Department has ensured that the adult and community learning fund influenced the strategic planning of local learning and skills councils.

Ivan Lewis: Since its inception in 1998 there have been three independent evaluations of the adult and community learning fund (ACLF) as follows:
	(1) Evaluation of the Adult and Community Learning Fund (Field, Spencer, Tight, Blaxter, Byrd and Merrill), published July 2001.
	(2) Impact of the Adult and Community Learning Fund (Tyers and Aston) published June 2002.
	(3) Evaluation of Round 5 of the Adult and Community Learning Fund (McMeeking, Taylor, Powell and Sims) published July 2002.
	The Department's annual expenditure on the ACLF was as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1999–2000 6.1 
			 2000–01 6.6 
			 2001–02 5.1 
			 2002–03 (5)3.3 
		
	
	(5) Expenditure to date (£5 million budget)
	The Department's annual expenditure on the union learning fund was as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1999–2000 3.1 
			 2000–01 3.9 
			 2001–02 6.3 
			 2002–03 (6)4.5 
		
	
	(6) Expenditure to date (£9 million budget)
	I am considering the future of the adult and community learning fund within the Department's wider review of the funding of adult learning and the skills strategy and associated delivery plan, which we intend to publish in June 2003.
	On future plans for the union learning fund, our intention is to help trade unions to continue to develop the key role they have to play in promoting the uptake of learning and skills in the workplace. We have allocated a further £33.6 million in the next three years up to 2005–06. From April 2003 the Learning and Skills Council will assume responsibility for its management and administration. This will place union learning at the heart of the LSC's strategy for workforce development.
	Information on the proportion of projects supported by the ACLF which were based on voluntary and community-based organisations is not immediately available. I will write to the hon. Member shortly with the information, and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.
	The Department ensured that the lessons from the adult and community learning fund contributed to the development of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy by providing officials within the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit with the findings of the independent ACLF evaluations and impact studies as the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy was being devised. The Department also provided the same material on the ACLF to local LSCs to help inform their strategic planning.

Minimum Wage

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will estimate the impact of increasing the minimum wage (a) in line with average earnings, (b) to £4.17 per hour, (c) to £4.87 per hour, (d) to £5.00 per hour and (e) to £5.30 per hour, on the cost of salaries of departmental employees (i) in total and (ii) for each nation of the United Kingdom in the next financial year.

David Miliband: There are no departmental staff employees paid below the main adult minimum wage of £4.20 per hour.
	The estimated impact on the cost of salaries by increasing the minimum wage to (c) £4.87 per hour, (d) £5.00 per hour and (e) £5.30 per hour is £1,200, £18,500 and £68,800 respectively. The Department does not have employees located outside of England.

Modern Apprenticeships

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to (a) improve the standards of Modern Apprenticeships and (b) expand their provision.

Ivan Lewis: The Government and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) are wholly committed to Modern Apprenticeships (MA) as a quality work-based learning route to craft, supervisory and technician skills for young people in England. We are implementing Modern Apprenticeship Advisory Committee recommendations to ensure the highest standards and to encourage take-up by employers and young people. We have adopted a challenging Public Service Agreement (PSA) target for MA entrants by 2004—28 per cent. of young people to begin an MA by the age of 22. We are also implementing with key partners a quality improvement strategy to improve MA outcomes and completion rates.
	My right hon. Friends the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, along with the Chairman of the Learning and Skills Council have announced a new Modern Apprenticeship Task Force which will take a key role in promoting MA to employers and thereby contributing to increased take-up. In addition, the Government will be publishing a national skills strategy in June setting out how we will further boost numbers of young people acquiring technical and craft skills across the economy.

Schools (Specialist Status)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support and assistance he is able to provide to schools looking to raise money to apply for specialist status; and what measures he will take to remove the barriers to schools looking to apply for specialist school status.

David Miliband: The Department has done much to help schools which are having difficulties raising the sponsorship necessary to apply join the programme. We grant-aid the Technology Colleges Trust and the Youth Sport Trust, which advise schools on raising sponsorship. The Trusts are often able to help schools with money donated centrally, on the basis of criteria set out by sponsors.
	In 1999 we reduced the sponsorship requirement to £50,000, and in 2002 we reduced the amount of sponsorship required by small mainstream schools (defined as those with under 500 pupils on roll) to £100 per pupil, subject to a minimum of £20,000.
	In November 2002 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the creation of a Partnership Fund. The Fund, which will contain £3 million in 2003–04, is designed specifically to help schools which have had serious difficulties meeting the £50,000 sponsorship requirement.
	The criteria for the allocation of the Partnership Fund will be based around evidence that the school has made a real effort to raise sponsorship and that, although they have not been able to get the required level of private sector funding, the school has created other valuable links with businesses.

Shire Education Authority Funding

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the planned capitation per pupil in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools for each shire education authority in 2003–04.

David Miliband: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant) on 8 January 2003, Official Report, columns 231–33W.

Teachers (East Riding of Yorkshire)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers have left the teaching profession in the East Riding of Yorkshire in each year since 1997.

David Miliband: The table shows the number of teachers that left full or part time service in maintained schools sector in East Riding of Yorkshire in each of the years shown and did not go on to teach in maintained schools in other LEAs in England. Data for 1999–2000 are the latest that is available at local education authority level.
	
		Teachers leaving service
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 
		
		
			 Retirement 117 32 36 
			 Out of service 118 107 134 
			 Total 235 139 170 
		
	
	The table is based on pension returns. Some leavers will be taking career breaks (eg for maternity leave) and will return to service at a later date. Others may have moved from known service to service not recorded on the teacher pension return.

Teachers' Earnings

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will estimate the average weekly earnings of a fully qualified teacher working in a (a) primary school and (b) secondary school in the Greater London area.

David Miliband: The average weekly gross pay of all full-time qualified teachers in the maintained sector in Greater London at 31 March 2001 is estimated 1 to be as follows:
	Nursery/primary: £540
	Secondary: £580
	1 Figures have been estimated using provisional average salary data.

Teaching Profession

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list by individual local education authority, how many teachers have left the profession (a) within the last 12 months and (b) in 1996–97 after two years teaching experience or less; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Teaching Profession

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures he is taking to reduce the administrative burden on headteachers and teachers.

David Miliband: On 15 January an historic national agreement was signed by government, employers and school workforce unions, paving the way for radical workforce reform to raise standards and tackle teacher workload. The agreement covers progressive reductions in teachers' total hours, and changes to teachers' contracts to ensure they do not routinely undertake administrative and clerical tasks. To help achieve this, funding is in place to improve support available to both headteachers and teachers. There will also be a concerted attack on unnecessary bureaucracy and paperwork.
	Schools are to be enabled to recruit at least 50,000 additional support staff during this Parliament. This will include personal administrative assistants for teachers and additional technical support, as well as new managers from outside education and the training and recruitment of more bursars to relieve the burden on headteachers of financial and administrative work. We are also investing in teachers' personal access to computers—the total budget has risen from £100 million to £300 million, and the programme's duration from two years to four years, providing over 300,000 laptops.
	To tackle bureaucracy, we are setting up an independent Implementation Review Unit to consider the workload impact of existing and new initiatives. The focus will extend beyond DfES and will cover all bodies which impact upon schools, including national agencies such as Ofsted, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the Teacher Training Agency, as well as local education authorities and learning and skills councils. It will feature a panel of practitioners—overwhelmingly serving headteachers. They will have direct access to Ministers, will scrutinise existing policies and programmes and identify priorities for end to end reviews to eliminate burdens. Panel members will make sure that grass-roots concerns get through to DfES and central agencies, and are tackled.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Industrial Action/Illness

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many working days have been lost in her Department and its predecessors owing to (a) industrial action and (b) illness in each year since 1997–98.

Clare Short: There have been no days lost due to industrial action in DFID since 1997.
	The rates of sick absence recorded in DFID per calendar year from 1997 to 2001 are as follows. Figures on rates of sick absence in financial years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Number of absences Average number of days per staff year 
		
		
			 1997 9,250 8.1 
			 1998 8,643 7.3 
			 1999 9,263 7.3 
			 2000 8,426 6.2 
			 2001 11,545 8.3 
		
	
	Staff numbers on which these are based have risen from 1,142 in 1997 to 1,391 in 2001. My department will announce the rates of sick absence recorded in 2002 in due course.

Peru

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid her Department is giving to Peru in 2002–03; which projects in Peru are run directly by her Department; which projects her Department participates in; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: The Department for International Development has a £3.7 million programme in Peru for 2002–03. DFID also funds £4 million per year of the EC development programme, and is a five per cent. shareholder in the World bank and one per cent. shareholder in the Inter American Development bank. Details of DFID's programme in Peru are given in the Peru Development Assistance Paper, which I have placed in the Library of the House.

Sudan

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking, in conjunction with other Inter-Governmental Association for Development observer nations, to investigate reports of breaches of the cessation of hostilities near Ler in Western Upper Nile, Sudan.

Clare Short: At the request of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development Special Envoy, Lt-Gen Sumbeiywo, the US-led Civilian Protection Monitoring Team, has investigated recent alleged violations of the Memorandum of Understanding on cessation of hostilities in Western Upper Nile. Their report has been presented to the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A for comment before dissemination.
	We expect the parties to reach agreement soon on an improved verification and monitoring mechanism to underpin the Memorandum of Understanding on cessation of hostilities. This should help to reduce tension until a full ceasefire agreement can be worked out.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Cyprus

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with (a) European Union colleagues, (b) the Government of Cyprus and (c) the Government of Turkey on the state of the reunification negotiations in Cyprus.

Denis MacShane: The Government strongly supports the UN settlement process. We believe that there is a historic opportunity to secure a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement in Cyprus, by 28 February, based on the United Nations Secretary-General's 10 December proposals, and allow a reunited island to accede to the EU. We are urging the two sides not to let this opportunity slip away.
	My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, and I, undertook wide-ranging and full contacts on the Cyprus settlement with our European colleagues in the run-up to the Copenhagen European Council. The Copenhagen European Council gave its full support to the UN process and concluded that:
	"The European Council believes that those proposals offer a unique opportunity to reach a settlement in the coming weeks and urges the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to seize this opportunity".
	The Copenhagen Council also restated the EU's preference that a reunited island should accede to the EU.
	We have maintained regular contacts with the Greek Cypriot side and the Turkish Cypriot side on the settlement process. The UK Special Representative for Cyprus, Lord Hannay, visited Nicosia on 25–27 January. We regularly discuss Cyprus, among other issues, with the Government of Turkey. Lord Hannay visited Ankara on 2–3 February.

Departmental Expenditure (Newsprint)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total expenditure of his Department was on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002.

Bill Rammell: The answer is as follows:
	2001–02—£590,721.

European Convention on Human Rights

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons he has not signed the 12th Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government did not sign Protocol 12 because it was not satisfied with the drafting of the text. In particular, we considered that there is uncertainty about the scope for positive action and as regards the meaning of the reference in the text to "any right set forth by law."
	The Government remains in favour of a free-standing prohibition on discrimination. We have undertaken to keep the matter under careful consideration and to take account of the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights as it develops. We will report any new thinking as part of our general review of international human rights instruments, which is due to be completed in the spring of this year.

Fraud and Theft

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money has been lost by his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies through (a) fraud and (b) theft for each year since 1996–97.

Bill Rammell: The information is as follows.
	
		Losses to FCO from fraud and theft 1996–2003 -- £
		
			  1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 FCO (fraud) 26,350 114,385 91,375 11,153 15,642 22,462 37,730.49 
			 FCO (theft) 6,606 Nil 10,827 30 684 18,996 20,550.50 
			 Agencies Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 
			 Total 32,956 114,385 102,202 11,183 16,326 41,458 58,280.99 
			 Sum recovered 10,850 4,396 6,705 11,183 15,553 23,425 38,375.99 
			 Net loss 22,106 109,989 95,497 Nil 773 18,033 19,905.00 
		
	
	
		£
		
			  1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 NDPBs(cash losses) 15,105 Unknown Unknown 8,667 6,535 4,868 Unknown 
			 NDPBs(net losses) 19,945 Unknown Unknown 13,500 29,307 5,748 Unknown 
			 Total 35,050 Unknown Unknown 22,167 35,842 10,616 Unknown

Future of Europe Convention

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the document being circulated by the Prime Minister's Representative at the Convention on the Future of Europe describing the role of the proposed President of the European Council.

Denis MacShane: The document under reference is an internal paper drafted in the Foreign Office. It is not a final document, nor a representation of an agreed British Government position. It has not been submitted to the Convention on the Future of Europe. As with other documents of this nature it would not be appropriate to deposit it in the Library of the House. The Government will, of course, continue to deposit all formal Government submissions to the Convention.

General Affairs and External Relations Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs and External Relations Council held on 27 and 28 January; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I represented the UK at the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels on 27 and 28 January, 2003. Conclusions were agreed by consensus and no formal votes were taken.
	General Affairs Session
	Operational Programme of the Council for 2003 and Western Balkans (external session)
	The Council heard presentations from the President and the High Representative about their recent visits to the Western Balkans and from Commissioner Patten on Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) developments.
	Separately, in the Council's public debate on the Operational Programme of the Council (broadcast live) the Presidency stressed that the Union's relations with the Western Balkans would constitute a major priority and that the EU was keen to capitalise on the positive results so far yielded. Work would continue on consolidating democratic institutions, protection of minorities, promotion of economic reconstruction and regional co-operation. The Thessalonika European Council on 21 June 2003 is expected to lend a new impetus to this process. I welcomed the Presidency's focus, and emphasised the importance of entrenching the rule of law. Several speakers referred to the importance of the fight against crime and corruption. Progress of work in other Council configurations
	The Council took note of the Presidency's progress report on the state of play. The report highlights agreements reached on several important dossiers, including the Single European Sky, the greenhouse emission allowance, the Regulation on GMOs, the 'Dublin II Regulation (on member state responsibility for assessing asylum claims), as well as measures taken following the 'Prestige' accident. Particular attention was drawn to the ECOFIN agreement on the taxation of savings.
	Follow-up to the European Council in Copenhagen
	The Presidency debriefed on the successful conclusion of consultations with the European Parliament on the modalities for appointing the Members of the European Commission from the new member states for the remainder of the Commission's mandate, until late 2004.
	The Presidency also outlined their priorities; these included taking forward the December 2002 Transport and Environment Council conclusions concerning measures to be implemented following the 'Prestige' accident; and continuing work on the 'Wider Europe' agenda, with the Western Balkans, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus, and the southern Mediterranean countries.
	Enlargement
	The Presidency reported on its enlargement work programme and reiterated the priority it attached to meeting the timetable set by the European Copenhagen Council in December 2002. This included completing and signing the Accession Treaty on 16 April 2003 in Athens, ensuring the smooth integration of all new member states, and continuing to monitor the transposition of the acquis by the acceding states.
	Recalling the European Council's preference for the accession of united Cyprus, the Presidency welcomed the resumption of talks between the two parties in Cyprus and their willingness to conclude a comprehensive settlement by 28 February 2003. The Commission referred to the possibility of a donors' conference to raise funds to support a settlement.
	The Presidency stated its strong desire to maintain the momentum of the negotiations with Bulgaria and Romania and to strive energetically to strengthen further Turkey's accession strategy. The Commission confirmed that it would present, in March, a draft Accession Partnerships on Turkey, with a view to Council adoption in April.
	Spring European Council
	Member states broadly welcomed a presentation by President Prodi on the Commission's 2003 spring synthesis report, drawn up in view of the spring European Council meeting on 21 March 2003. External Relations Session
	Western Balkans
	In addition to discussion in the Open Debate, the Council adopted conclusions on:
	Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
	The Council welcomed the recent progress on Serbia and Montenegro's Constitutional Charter and Implementing Law, and urged their early parliamentary approval and their full implementation. It called for the rapid finalisation of the Action Plans on internal market, trade and customs that would allow further progress towards the EU.
	Bosnia and Herzegovina
	The Council welcomed the formation of governments at the State and Republika Srpska levels and looked forward to the prompt formation of the Federation Government. It urged the BiH authorities to proceed rapidly with the implementation of the reforms necessary for progress in the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP), including the establishment of a single state-level customs and VAT system.
	Co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
	The Council welcomed that former Serbian President Milan Milutonovic will appear before the ICTY but expressed concerns that co-operation with FRY and ICTY remained insufficient. Failure to co-operate could seriously jeopardise further movement towards the EU.
	European Security and Defence Policy
	FYROM
	The High Representative, Mr. Solana, debriefed on the preparations for the first ESDP military operation. The Council agreed on a Joint Action to launch this operation. The conclusions noted that the EU had intensified planning and preparations in consultation with the FYROM authorities and with NATO and underlined its pledge to achieving a stable and secure FYROM, committed to full implementation of the Framework Agreement and making further progress toward European integration, in the context of the Stabilisation and Association process.
	EU Police Mission (EUPM)
	The Council also welcomed the successful start of the EUPM in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 1 January 2003, the first operation under ESDP. The Council welcomed the commitments made by the new Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to work with the EUPM.
	EU-Africa Relations and Zimbabwe
	Ministers discussed the renewal of EU sanctions against Zimbabwe (set to expire on 18 February), handling of the Franco-African Summit (Paris, 20–21 February) and the EU-Africa Summit (Lisbon, 4–5 April).
	The outcome is that Coreper has been tasked to pursue, rapidly, work on the draft Common Position on Zimbabwe, renewing the targeted sanctions, with particular attention on the procedure for granting any exemptions to the travel ban. The measures in place include: an embargo on the sale, supply or transfer of arms and technical advice; assistance or training related to military activities; an embargo on the sale or supply of equipment that could be used for internal repression; as well as a travel ban on and a freezing of funds, financial assets and economic resources of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and those bearing a particular responsibility for the observed violations.
	In the discussion, we made clear that public opinion would not understand a failure to continue sanctions. We also made clear our firm opposition to the attendance of the EU/Africa Summit by President Mugabe. Several partners spoke along similar lines. Some others emphasised the importance of continued engagement with Zimbabwe.
	Central Africa
	The Council heard presentations by the Belgian Minister, following his recent trip to Central Africa, and by EU Special Representative, Ajello, on the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement. In its conclusions, the Council stressed inter alia that it could see no alternative to securing peace and stability in the Congo, other than through the global and inclusive Agreement on transition, signed in Pretoria on 17 December 2002. It urged all parties to complete negotiations on the outstanding points and to speedily establish the institutions required for transition. It reaffirmed its willingness to support transition to free and transparent elections, and intention to implement programmes to promote aid, the strengthening of state structure and the economic reconstruction of the country, as soon as its institutions are in place.
	Cote D'Ivoire
	The French Minister briefed his colleagues on prospects following the agreement among the representative Ivorian political forces, reached on 24 January. Conclusions were adopted without discussion in which the EU warmly welcomed the Agreement and called for full implementation of the regional confidence-building measures in the framework of ECOWAS. The EU, alongside the UN, the African Union and ECOWAS, is ready to take on its responsibilities in that framework.
	Middle East
	Ministers held a discussion against the backdrop of further deterioration and upcoming Israeli elections. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs briefed on the London conference on Palestinian reform. The Presidency intends to visit the region in February. The conclusions called on both parties to drive the peace process forward by supporting the efforts of the Quartet, called on Palestinian reforms to be speeded up and welcomed Egyptian efforts to promote progress on security issues and for a sustainable truce.
	Iraq
	Ministers discussed this over lunch on 27 January. Several speakers emphasised that a diplomatic solution was desirable but would be possible only if there was unanimity in the international community plus a credible threat of force. War might still be avoided but it would require real pressure to get Saddam Hussein to change his approach. In its conclusions, the Council reaffirmed that its goal remains the effective and complete disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, its support for UN efforts to secure full and immediate compliance; its appreciation for the work accomplished by the inspectors so far, urging the Iraqi authorities to engage in full and active co-operation with UNMOVIC and the IAEA; the fundamental importance of preventing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and the role of the UNSC in the implementation of UNSC 1441. On the second day of the Council there was an informal and inconclusive exchange following the debriefing of the UN Security Council by Mr. Blix.
	North Korea
	The Council welcomed the envisaged meeting between the permanent members of the Security Council and the EU, Japan and the two Koreas. The Council agreed to despatch a high-level EU mission to Pyongyang, in close co-ordination with the US and other partners. The SoS for FCA supported this initiative. The EU should stay in close touch with the major players. Other speakers agreed.
	EC's approach to WTO Doha Development Agenda agriculture negotiations
	After initial reluctance by a few member states, the Council agreed that the Commission should table its paper at the WTO Agriculture Negotiations. The Commission was clear that the timetable for its proposals in the mid term review of the CAP remained unchanged.
	Items approved without debate
	Relations with Russia
	The Council noted the Presidency Work Plan on the implementation of the Common Strategy of the EU on Russia.
	Relations with Ukraine
	The Council noted the Presidency Work Plan on the implementation of the Common Strategy of the EU on Ukraine.
	Relations with the Mediterranean Region
	The Council noted the Presidency's priorities for implementing the EU's Common Strategy on the Mediterranean Region from June 2000 under its three chapters: political and security, economic and financial, and social, culture and human chapter. The Presidency intends to give special priority to the implementation of the Valencia Action Plan adopted at the fifth Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Valencia on 23 and 24 April 2002.
	Angola
	The Council adopted a Regulation repealing Regulation (EC) No. 1705/98 regarding the interruption of certain economic relations with Angola in connection with the activities of UNITA.
	Somalia
	The Council adopted a Regulation adopting certain restrictive measures in respect of Somalia, following from the Common Position 2002/960/CFSP of 10 December 2002. The Regulation prohibits the provision of financing for arms sale, as well as of advice, assistance or training related to military activities directly or indirectly to any person, entity or body in Somalia.
	Dual-use items and technology
	The Council adopted a regulation amending and updating Regulation (EC) No. 1334/2000 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports of dual-use items and technology.
	ESDP: Financing of operations having military or defence implications
	The Council approved a document on contributions by third States to the financing of operations having military or defence implications.
	Anti-dumping measures
	The Council adopted four texts amending a number of anti-dumping measures to avoid an excessive amount of anti-dumping duty being levied in situations in which imported goods have been damaged before entry into free circulation. In these cases the specific duty will be reduced by a percentage which corresponds to the apportioning of the price actually paid or payable.
	Asylum
	Following the political agreement reached on 28 November 2002, the Council formally adopted the Directive laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers in member states, deemed sufficient to ensure a dignified standard of living. It contains specific provisions on residence and freedom of movement, family unity, schooling and the education of minors, employment and access to vocational training.
	Access to justice in cross-border disputes
	The Council adopted a Directive to improve access to justice in cross-border disputes by establishing minimum common rules relating to legal aid for such disputes.
	The Directive seeks to promote the application of legal aid in cross-border disputes for persons who lack sufficient resources where aid is necessary to secure effective access to justice.
	Protection of the environment through criminal law
	The Council adopted the Framework Decision on the protection of the environment through criminal law.
	According to this instrument, each member state shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the conduct referred to in the Framework Decision is punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties, including, at least in serious cases, deprivation of liberty which can give rise to extradition.

Gibraltar

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the state of the Brussels process concerning Gibraltar.

Denis MacShane: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on this matter by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 11 December 2002, Official Report, col. 380W.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of compliance by Israel with the human rights provisions of the EU-Israel Association agreement; and what action he is taking to ensure full compliance.

Denis MacShane: Respect for human rights and democratic principles constitute an essential element of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and all other such agreements between the EU and Mediterranean countries, including the Palestinian Authority. The EU has used this as a vehicle to raise human rights as part of its political dialogue with Israel. The UK joined with other member states at the EU-Israel Association Council on 21 October 2002 in making clear its concerns about human rights and the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories and has continued to raise human rights issues in bilateral contacts with Israel.

Kenya

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to assist the incoming Kenyan Government in developing effective public administration and tackling corruption.

Bill Rammell: We are discussing with the new Kenyan Administration the economic and social reform agenda which President Kibaki promoted during his campaign. Good economic management will be the key to the revival of Kenya. We expect the new Government to stand by its commitment to tackle corruption, including by creating an Anti-Corruption Authority and giving it the power to prosecute.

Kenya

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) his Department and (b) representatives of his Department in Nairobi have had with (i) representatives of the Government of Kenya in London and (ii) members of the Government of Kenya about the killing of Mr. William Mwaura Munhe; what reports he has received linking the murder to Mr. Felicien Kabuga; what assistance (A) his Department and (B) the UK Government are providing to the authorities in Kenya in this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: My noble Friend the Baroness Amos raised Felicien Kabuga's presence in Kenya with Mr. Kalonzo Musyoka, the Kenyan Minister for foreign affairs, on 28 January. Mr. Mwaura Munhe's killing is alleged to be linked to information on Mr. Kabuga's whereabouts. We continue to work with partners on gathering information leading to the apprehension of Rwandan genocidaires.

Liberia

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on (a) the nature of the attack on the town of Beam in Liberia and (b) the identity of the perpetrators; what discussions he has had or is planning to have with (a) representatives of the Liberian Government and (b) the Liberian Government on Liberia's strategy to deal with this event; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We are raising the attack on Beam, in Liberia, with the UN Secretariat. The main aim of the attack seems to have been looting connected to the conflict in Cote d'lvoire. It is unclear who orchestrated the attack but Liberian and Ivorian groups have been accused of involvement. We remain concerned about reports of Liberian involvement in the rebellion in Cote d'lvoire and at the ease with which armed groups can pass across the border.
	The Government of Liberia continues to ignore the demands of the UN Security Council by sponsoring armed groups in the region. Our aim remains to contain these activities by maintaining effective UN sanctions against Liberia.

Maganizo Mazeze

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to representatives and members of the Malawian Government concerning the arrest and trial of journalist Maganizo Mazeze; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Mr. Mazeze was arrested and bailed on 22 January. He was charged with disseminating false news after he had reported on stories of "bloodsuckers" in Malawi for his radio station, MIJ. While we have not specifically raised Mr. Mazeze's case with the Malawi Government, we have commented publicly on attempts to prohibit reporting of political news on MIJ. Our High Commissioner to Malawi last raised issues of media freedom with the Minister of Information on 24 October last year.

Minimum Wage

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the impact of increasing the minimum wage (a) in line with average earnings, (b) to £4.17 per hour, (c) to £4.87 per hour, (d) to £5.00 per hour and (e) to £5.30 per hour, on the cost of salaries of departmental employees (i) in total and (ii) for each nation of the United Kingdom in the next financial year.

Mike O'Brien: In the next financial year, our lowest salary will be £11,267 per annum, which equates to an hourly rate of £5.15.
	The effect of a minimum wage of £4.17, £4.87 or £5.00 on the cost of salaries of FCO employees would therefore be nil.
	If the minimum wage were raised to £5.30 per hour, there would be an effect on the cost of the salaries of FCO employees. This cost cannot, however, be quantified without disproportionate cost.

Occupational Stress

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) prevalence and (b) causes of occupational stress in his Department.

Mike O'Brien: The FCO commissioned a company led by Professor Cary Cooper of UMIST to undertake an Occupational Stress Audit in 2000. An Action Plan, taking into account the results of this, and the 2001 FCO Employee Opinion Survey, has been drawn up and made available to all FCO staff. An Action Group, chaired by the Director Personnel, monitors progress. Its last meeting was held on 23 October 2002.

Peru

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what discussions (a) he has and (b) his Department have had with the Peruvian Government on its response to the Peruvian Constitutional Court's ruling to overturn in part four anti-terror legislative decrees; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what reports he has received from his Department's representative in Lima on the Peruvian Constitutional Court's ruling to overturn in part four anti-terror legislative decrees; what advice his Department is issuing on the ruling's legal and security implications; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Our Embassy in Lima is watching closely developments following the recent ruling of the Peruvian Constitutional Court on the anti-terrorist legislation. Our understanding is that the Constitutional Court has reached its judgment based on the legislation's compatibility with Peru's international human rights obligations. The laws in question were adopted in 1992 and have been the subject of criticism internationally. The Peruvian Government intends to adopt new legislation within 30 working days of this ruling. We support the Peruvian Government's efforts to improve and protect human rights for all Peruvians. We maintain a good dialogue with Peru on human rights matters as well as security aspects in common to both sides, including terrorism.

Public Service Agreement

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place the technical note underlying his Public Service Agreement in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Technical Note for the period 2003–06 will be published within the next few weeks, once detailed planning for the delivery of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Public Service Agreement targets has been completed. The Technical Note will set out how progress against the Public Service Agreement targets will be measured. A copy of the Technical Note will be placed in the Library.

Richard Mechan

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what documentary evidence he has received on (a) mitigating circumstances of self-defence and (b) mitigating circumstances of self-defence that were not included in the official confession, (c) health problems and (d) health problems that were not included in the official confession, relating to the case of Mr. Richard Mechan.

Mike O'Brien: We received from Richard Mechan and his father, Terry Mechan, copies of selected documentation concerning Richard's judicial defence against his manslaughter charge in Bahrain. These included the issues of possible self-defence and Richard's heart condition. Our consular staff cannot provide detailed legal advice so, we have always advised Richard Mechan that any evidence in favour of his defence should be introduced by his lawyer. We understand that Mr. Mechan's lawyer did introduce the above mentioned documentation in support of his defence to the courts in Bahrain.

Rogue States

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his definition of rogue states is; and which states fall within that definition.

Mike O'Brien: The term "Rogue State" was first used by the Clinton Administration in the US to describe states which were pursuing illicit programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and those which the US Administration considered posed a threat to the US. The term has become widely used by media and commentators to describe states of proliferation concern and those which provide succour and support for terrorism. The Government generally prefers to use the phrase "Countries of Concern" to describe such states, although "Rogue States" has also been used for this purpose.
	We continue to be concerned by the proliferation of WMD and the means for their delivery in several regions including the Middle East, South Asia and the Korean Peninsula.
	We are also concerned about state support for terrorist activity in a number of countries. In the light of the continuing campaign against terror, it is not possible at this time to specifically name publicly any of the countries about which we are concerned or to speculate on any action that might be taken to counter our concerns.

Service Delivery Agreement

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department's service delivery agreement for 2003 to 2006 will be published.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Service Delivery Agreement for the period 2003–06 will be published within the next few weeks, once detailed planning and resource allocation for the delivery of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Public Service Agreement targets has been completed. The Service Delivery Agreement will set out how the Public Service Agreement targets will be delivered.

Theft/Fraud

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the cost of theft and fraud to (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies in 2002.

Bill Rammell: The information is as follows:
	
		Cost of fraud and theft to FCO in 2002
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Fraud and theft 61,613.99 
			 Sum recovered 41,708.99

UNOMIG/HROAG

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) UK diplomatic staff at the United Nations and (c) UK diplomatic staff at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe have had since 2001 about expanding the mandate and area of function of (i) UNOMIG and (ii) HROAG; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The mandate of UNOMIG (United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia) was unanimously extended by the Security Council on 30 January after consultations between member states.
	Expanding the mandate and overall area of function of UNOMIG and HROAG (Human Rights Office in Abkhazia, Georgia) is not under active discussion.

Weapons Inspections (1998)

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether UNSCOM 243 entered Iraqi presidential palaces between March and April 1998.

Mike O'Brien: Yes.

Zimbabwe

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on plans to discuss sanctions against Zimbabwe at the EU education council meeting, scheduled for 6 February.

Bill Rammell: There are no such plans.

Zimbabwe

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made with the compilation of the watch list of Zimbabwean nationals whose presence in the UK may not be conducive to the public good.

Bill Rammell: The high commission in Harare and the FCO maintain a watch list of Zimbabwean nationals whose presence in the UK may not be conducive to the public good. This is regularly reviewed and up-dated. The list is being used on a discretionary basis to deny such people entry to the UK.

Zimbabwe

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what UK sanctions are in place against Zimbabwe, independent of the EU sanctions.

Bill Rammell: The UK imposed an arms embargo on Zimbabwe in May 2000. This pre-dates and is independent of the EU arms embargo which formed part of the EU Common Position of 18 February 2002.

CABINET OFFICE

Licensing Bill

Mark Field: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what research he undertook to seek to ensure that the Licensing Bill and related ministerial guidance (a) have broad public support, (b) are enforceable, (c) are easy to understand, (d) are balanced and avoid unintended consequences and (e) balance the risks, costs and practical benefits.

Kim Howells: I have been asked to reply.
	The reform of the licensing laws that the Licensing Bill will introduce were the subject of a White Paper consultation in 2000. The White Paper was published following a review of current licensing laws that involved all key stakeholders including the licensed trade, the police and local authorities. 1,215 individuals and organisations responded to the White Paper, including many members of the public. The majority of responses were in favour of the proposed reforms.
	In addition to publishing Explanatory Notes with the Licensing Bill, the Government will be issuing guidance to licensing authorities and the police when the Bill receives Royal Assent. A draft version of the guidance will be made available before the Bill reaches Report Stage in the House of Lords. The guidance will explain in clear terms how the new licensing system will work and, like the Bill, is being prepared in consultation with other Government Departments, executive agencies and an Advisory Group comprising representatives of the following organisations:
	Alcohol Concern
	Arts Council
	Association of Chief Police Officers
	Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers
	Association of London Government
	British Beer and Pub Association
	Bar, Entertainment and Dance Association
	British Institute of Innkeepers
	British Marine Federation
	British Retail Consortium
	Business in Sport and Leisure
	Cinema Exhibitors Association
	Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
	Committee of Registered Clubs Associations
	Editor of Paterson's Licensing Laws
	Federation of Licensed Victuallers Association
	Guild of Master Victuallers
	Justices' Clerks Society
	Licensed Victuallers Wales
	Local Government Association
	Magistrates' Association
	Musicians Union
	National Parliamentary Committee of the Licensed Victuallers Associations
	Restaurant Association
	Theatrical Management Association/Society of London Theatre
	In drafting the Bill, the Explanatory Notes and the guidance the Government has, as far as possible, ensured that they are easy to understand, unambiguous, capable of enforcement and that they balance the risks, costs and practical benefits for all those who will be affected by the licensing reforms. The Regulatory Impact Assessment published along with the Bill considers these effects and quantifies the likely cost implications.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

British Library (Visually Impaired People)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what conditions her Department attaches to funding for the British Library to ensure that services are provided for visually impaired people.

Kim Howells: holding answer 3 February 2003
	It is an objective of the British Library's Funding Agreement that the Library will enable ready access to its collection to all who need it. The Library is addressing the needs of visually impaired people through adjustments to its buildings and through reader services, such as image enhancers, hand-held magnifiers, audio books and through improvements to its website.

Civil Servants (Bonus)

John Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many civil servants in her Department received bonuses having attained personal targets in the last financial year; and what the value was.

Kim Howells: The number of civil servants who received bonuses, having attained personal targets in my Department in the last financial year, was 89. They received bonuses of between £750 and £3,500, with an overall value of £116,400.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she intends to reply to the letter to her dated 18 December from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. Adrian Webb.

Tessa Jowell: I wrote to the right hon. Gentleman on 31 January 2003. I apologise for the delay in responding.

Digital Curriculum

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  if she will publish the reports to date from the BBC about development of the Digital Curriculum made before Government approval was given;
	(2)  what agreements were made between the Director General of the BBC and Pearson Ltd. about the development of a digital curriculum prior to Government approval being given;
	(3)  whether the Director General of the BBC authorised development of the Digital Curriculum prior to the Government approval being given.

Kim Howells: These are matters for the BBC.

English Heritage

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what statutory authority English Heritage has to engage in capital fundraising projects; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The National Heritage Act 1983 sets out English Heritage's core functions and duties. Section 33(5)(d) gives them the discretion to do such things as they think necessary or expedient for the purpose of exercising their statutory functions. This includes becoming involved in capital fundraising projects.

Licensing Reform

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how the Government intend to differentiate in the Licensing Bill between live music used as part of a religious service and live music used to entertain in places of worship;
	(2)  what plans the Government have to amend the Licensing Bill to exempt places of worship from (a) the need to obtain entertainment licences and (b) the cost of obtaining an entertainment licence;
	(3)  if the staging of a Christian musical in a church or church hall would need an entertainment licence if (a) it was purely for the purpose of entertainment and (b) it formed part of a religious service;
	(4)  under what provisions of the Licensing Bill (a) bell ringing and (b) carol concerts will be exempt from licences if these events do not form part of a religious service;
	(5)  whether it is her policy that a church carol concert that is not part of a religious service should be exempt from the live music licensing proposals contained in the Licensing Bill and not count towards the five temporary event limit;
	(6)  what costs she estimates will be incurred by North Yorkshire churches and village halls under the live music proposals in the Licensing Bill;
	(7)  what assessment she has made of the effect that the Licensing Bill will have on the ability of churches and village halls to host community events involving live music.

Kim Howells: In developing the proposals in the Licensing Bill the Government were careful to ensure that it included appropriate exemptions in relation to the provision of entertainment, including live music, for any faith when they are engaged in worship or any form of religious meeting. The Bill as drafted draws a distinction, however, between the provision of secular entertainment in a place of public religious worship and entertainment which is provided there for, or incidental to, a religious service or meeting. The Government are aware of the concerns that have been expressed about the licensing of secular entertainment in places of public religious worship and we have discussed possible solutions with faith organisations. An amendment extending the exemption to the provision of any entertainment or entertainment facilities at a place of public religious worship has been tabled for consideration at Report stage in another place.
	Under the Bill as presently drafted, carol singing as part of, or incidental to, a religious service or meeting would not be licensable as the exemption in paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 to the Bill would apply. This exemption relates to the activity, not the place, and therefore applies irrespective of the venue. However, if a carol concert were held not as part of, or incidental to, a religious service or meeting it would be licensable and authorisation would be needed either under a premises licence or a temporary event notice. As noted above, an amendment has been tabled for consideration at Report stage in another place.
	Bell ringing would not be licensable under the Bill if it were part of, or incidental to, a religious service or meeting. Further, if bell ringing is undertaken as a hobby or for practice, it would not be licensable because it would not be being provided for the public. However, if a bell ringing concert is put on for the public and it is not part of a religious meeting or service, then it would be licensable under the Bill as drafted. As already noted, an amendment has been tabled for consideration at Report stage in another place.
	Under the current law, live music is licensable in community centres and village and parish halls.Outside Greater London these venues enjoy an exemption from fees in respect of public entertainment. Under the Bill, fees will be set centrally by the Secretary of State in regulations and the Government have announced their intention to exempt church halls, chapel halls or other similar buildings occupied in connection with a place of public religious worship, and village halls, parish or community halls or other similar buildings from the fees associated with the provision of entertainment under the licensing regime.
	The Government do not anticipate that the Licensing Bill will cause any adverse impact on the ability of churches and village halls to host community events involving live music, and in fact believe that the new system of premises licences and temporary event notices will be simpler for applicants than the current regime. No specific estimates were made of the costs that would be incurred by churches and village halls in North Yorkshire. However, a Regulatory Impact Assessment was published with the Bill.
	As the Bill is currently drafted, a Christian musical staged in a church or a church hall would not be licensable if it were provided for the purposes of, or for purposes incidental to, a religious meeting or service, but it would otherwise be licensable. As noted, an amendment has been tabled for consideration at Report stage in another place.

Licensing Reform

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what costs she estimates will be incurred by North Staffordshire churches and village halls under the live music proposals in the Licensing Bill.

Kim Howells: No costs will be incurred by churches and village halls in North Staffordshire for the provision of regulated entertainment or entertainment facilities under the proposals of the Licensing Bill.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made a statement to the House on 3 February 2003, Official Report, columns 7WS-8WS setting out the conclusions of our consideration of the provision of entertainment and entertainment facilities in places of religious worship and village halls under the Licensing Bill. The Government have now tabled an amendment to the Bill that would exempt secular entertainment provided in places of public religious worship and the provision of entertainment facilities in such places from the need to obtain a licence under the Bill when it is enacted. Music for the purposes of or incidental to a religious service or meeting will remain exempt.
	We have also made clear our intention to exempt church halls, chapel halls or other similar buildings occupied in connection with a place of public religious worship, and village halls, parish or community halls or other similar buildings from the fees associated with the provision of entertainment or entertainment facilities under the licensing regime.

Lottery Funding (Children's Hospices)

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what eligibility criteria were employed by the New Opportunities Fund when allocating National Lottery money earmarked for children's hospices; which hospices applied to the New Opportunities Fund for a share in the allocation; which hospices were successful; how much each hospice was allocated; and which hospices were declined funding and on what grounds.

Richard Caborn: Applicant organisations must have had a hospice building; have been providing hospice services for children including in-patient services; and must have been registered with the Charity Commission with the word 'hospice' included in the registered name or with the 'relief of sickness' included as a charitable objective. An applicant organisation had to meet all these eligibility criteria to be considered for funding against a further set of published assessment criteria. Full details of all published assessment criteria is available from the New Opportunities Fund.
	With the funding available the Fund was able to fund 23 applications. The following table gives details of the awards.
	Three hospice applications were not successful because they failed fully to meet either the programme's eligibility or assessment criteria. The Fund's policy is that, to protect the confidentiality of unsuccessful applicants, feedback on individual bids is not made public unless the organisation concerned gives its express approval.
	
		New Opportunities Fund children's palliative care programme: children's hospice awards -- £
		
			 Organisation and grant scheme Grant awarded 
		
		
			 Acorns Children's Hospice Trust. Acorns Selly Oak. 650,000 
			 Acorns Children's Hospice Trust. Acorns Walsall. 650,000 
			 Butterwick Children's Hospice. Butterwick Children's Hospice NOF Bid. 435,057 
			 Chase Children's Hospice Service. Christopher's Hospice. 650,000 
			 Children's Hospice South West. Bridging the Gap. 617,758 
			 Claire House. Specialist paediatric palliative care at Claire House Children's Hospice. 650,000 
			 Cope Children's Trust, known as Rainbows Children's Hospice. 650,000 
			 Demelza House Children's Hospice. 647,332 
			 Derian House Children's Hospice. Children's hospice provision. 649,971 
			 East Anglia's Children's Hospices. Care development scheme for children and the family (Quidenham/Milton/Ipswich (ii)). 617,570 
			 East Anglia's Children's Hospices. Care development scheme for children and the family (Quidenham/Milton/Ipswich (i)). 617,570 
			 East Anglia's Children's Hospices. Care development scheme for children and the family (Quidenham/Milton/Ipswich (iii)). 617,570 
			 Haven House Foundation. Haven House Foundation Children's Hospice. 650,000 
			 Helen House Children's Hospice. Helen House children's hospice scheme. 650,000 
			 Hope House Children's Hospice. Support for the existing high quality provision of children's palliative care by Hope House. 650,000 
			 Little Haven. Provision of hospice care to children with life limiting and life threatening illnesses. 650,000 
			 Martin House. Hospice for children and young people. 644,005 
			 Pasque Charity. Keech Cottage children's hospice service. 650,000 
			 Richard's House Children's Hospice. Children's in-patient respite and palliative care service. 649,557 
			 St. Andrew's Hospice Ltd. Development of family support and video phone installation. 337,909 
			 St. Barnabas Hospice. Chestnut Tree House children's hospice. 650,000 
			 The Donna Louise Trust. Hospice based nursing care for life limited children and their families. 631,064 
			 Wessex Children's Hospice Trust. Developing our services. 650,000

North West Tourist Board

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what the benefits to (a) local authorities and (b) businesses and organisations are of membership of the North West Tourist Board;
	(2)  what help and support the North West Tourist Board provides to (a) tourist organisations in each district of Lancashire and (b) local authorities in Lancashire in helping to promote tourism.

Kim Howells: The Regional Tourist Boards are independent companies which produce annual reports on their activities. The North West Tourist Board's (NWTB) report details activities carried out with or on behalf of local authority members including Lancashire and its districts. Work undertaken by the NWTB on behalf of the industry is supported by local authority, businesses and other organisation's subscriptions. Membership benefits for local authorities include networking and support for tourist information centres, assistance with tourism strategy and guidance, dissemination of research and best practice and regular liaison with local authority departments, including tourism, planning and economic development. For private sector members, NWTB facilitates marketing opportunities, a range of member benefits and tourism business support. Both public and private sector funding contributes to the NWTBs operations and complements funding from the North West Development Agency (NWDA) and the English Tourism Council.
	The NWTB are currently working closely with the NWDA in the production of a Vision Document for Tourism in the next 5–10 years. This will help to ensure a strong tourism product for the region, more efficient and focussed use of resources and future benefits for tourism businesses.
	Specific benefits in helping promote tourism in Lancashire include:
	The NWTB Chairman is Chair of the Lancashire Tourism Partnership which is a £7.5 million single regeneration budget funded programme giving direct benefit to the industry in Lancashire from marketing and training to business support and development.
	NWTB also lead on the development of ICT interoperability in Lancashire enabling timely and accurate information on tourism to be available to consumers and businesses in Lancashire.
	Examples of projects undertaken in Lancashire are:
	Ribchester Roman Museum £10k—towards a complete refurbishment
	Darwen Library Theatre £6,250—now fully accessible both front and back of house
	Fold House Caravan Park £10k—new reception, education room, heritage centre and information point
	Leighton Hall £2,397—new aviaries and signage.
	A copy of the NWTB's annual report is available form the board's offices at Swan House, Swan Meadow Road, Wigan Pier, Wigan WN3 5BB.

Telephone Helplines

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many telephone helplines are sponsored by her Department; and which of these helplines are charged at (a) national rate, (b) premium rate and (c) local rate.

Kim Howells: DCMS does not sponsor any telephone helplines.

HEALTH

Accident and Emergency Departments

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many accident and emergency departments of NHS hospitals in England and Wales use the triage nurse system for patients; and what the most recent average waiting time has been before treatment.

David Lammy: The Department does not collect data on the number of accident and emergency departments that use the triage nurse system.
	The Department does not collect average waiting times in accident and emergency departments before treatment. The Department measures total waiting time in accident and emergency from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge. This has been collected from August 2001.
	The first full and validated data was published in Quarter 2, 2002–03. This showed that 77 per cent. of patients spent four hours or less in accident and emergency from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many accident and emergency departments of NHS hospitals in England and Wales have introduced see and treat systems for patients; and what the average waiting time before treatment has been since their introduction.

David Lammy: The Department does not collect data on the number of accident and emergency departments that have introduced see and treat for patients.
	The Department does not collect average waiting times in accident and emergency departments before treatment. The Department measures total waiting time in accident and emergency from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge. This has been collected from August 2001.
	The first full and validated data was published in Quarter 2, 2002–03. This showed that 77 per cent. of patients spent four hours or less in accident and emergency from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge.

Asylum Seekers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the costs incurred by the NHS to meet the health needs of asylum seekers in the last 12 months.

Hazel Blears: Information about the breakdown of health costs by population group is not held centrally.
	National health service funding is allocated direct to 303 primary care trusts (PCTs) to enable them to secure local health services. In doing so, PCTs are expected to assess what configuration of health services best meets local needs, including the needs of asylum seekers in their area.

Children's Database

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to open up the Department of Health's computerised database of deaths and serious injuries of children to members of the public.

Jacqui Smith: Given the sensitive nature of the personal information contained in the database and the Data Protection Act's principles of good practice, no general public access to this database is planned.

Children's Database

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many entries have been made on the Department of Health's computerised database of deaths and serious injuries of children since April 2002.

Jacqui Smith: As at 31 January 2003 and with effect from 1 April 2002, there have been 119 recorded serious case notifications to the database.

Children's Database

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Department of Health's computerised database of deaths and serious injuries of children is continuously updated.

Jacqui Smith: The Department's database of serious case notifications, including those relating to deaths and serious injuries, is continuously updated by the Social Service Inspectorate.

Children's Database

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether a report will be published after the first year of operation of the Department of Health's computerised database of deaths and serious injuries of children.

Jacqui Smith: Information derived from the database will feature in future biennial national overview reports of serious case reviews. The next report is planned to be published at the end of 2003.

Children's Database

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of entries on the Department of Health's computerised database of deaths and serious injuries of children are (a) deaths and (b) serious injuries.

Jacqui Smith: Of the 119 notifications between 1 April 2002 and 31 January 2003, 91 were of deaths and 28 were of serious injuries.

Children's Hospices

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the children's hospices in Greater London.

Hazel Blears: There is one children's hospice currently operating in Greater London: Richard House, based in Newham.

Cigarettes

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce the mandatory labelling of cigarette packets detailing the additives contained within cigarettes.

Hazel Blears: There are currently no plans to introduce mandatory labelling of cigarette packets detailing additives. The number of additives contained in a brand of cigarette ranges greatly depending on the brand from under 20 to possibly over 100. The Government believes that it would be difficult to label these effectively on cigarette packets, in a fashion that is meaningful to the consumer.
	However the Government has recently made Regulations setting out new requirements for the labelling of cigarette packets with larger, starker health warnings, including drawing attention to the chemicals in tobacco smoke.
	The Regulations also provide for the Government to collect information about ingredients contained in tobacco products. We are collecting this data and plan to make information about product ingredients available to the public in a meaningful way.

Cocaine (Pregnant Mothers)

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to identify mothers who use (a) crack cocaine and (b) cocaine during pregnancy.

Jacqui Smith: No specific steps have been taken to identify mothers who use crack cocaine or cocaine during pregnancy.
	However, midwives who provide the majority of antenatal care for pregnant women will usually carry out a needs and risk assessment of the pregnant woman at the time of booking. This will ensure that the antenatal care support, which they receive, is tailored to their own particular requirements. This will include additional support if the woman is currently abusing alcohol and/or substances.
	In addition, there are also some midwives in particular units who specialise in the area of pregnancy support to drug users.

Coronary Heart Disease

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent funding for coronary heart disease will be allocated to purchase new medical devices for the treatment of coronary heart disease.

Hazel Blears: The funding allocated to the national health service for the next three years provides sufficient resources to cover anticipated new developments in technology and clinical practice. This funding is part of the largest investment in the NHS since its inception over half a century ago. A total of over £353 million has now been earmarked for the treatment of coronary heart disease since the launch of the national service framework in March 2000, as well as major capital investment costing £300 million over the next five years.
	The level of funding allocated to particular new medical devices, however, is for local decision, reflecting assessed clinical need, local priorities and best authoritative guidance.

Coronary Heart Disease

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the use of percutaneous coronary interventions over coronary artery bypass grafts.

Hazel Blears: The most suitable form of procedure to treat coronary heart disease depends on the condition of individual patients and the professional judgment of the clinical teams who are caring for them. Technological developments and changing clinical practice are increasing the number of cases in which percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may be a safe and effective treatment, and the proportion of PCIs to coronary artery bypass grafts is likely to increase over the next few years.

Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a substantive answer to his letter of 9 December 2002, ref PO1021593;
	(2)  when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 9 December 2002, regarding a constituent, ref P01021593.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 23 January 2003
	A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 3 February 2003.

Correspondence

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter dated 5 December 2002 from Graham Ruff of Lutterworth, a constituent.

John Hutton: The NHS Pensions Agency was asked to respond to Mr. Ruffs letter as the issues raised fall within their area of responsibility. I understand that the reply was sent to him on 30 January 2003.

Dentistry

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which areas were approved to field site status in the Modernising Dentistry Options for Change Programme; which applications were unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: A total of 139 expressions of interest were received for field site status, covering 27 of the 28 strategic health authorities. Fifty applications, grouped into 26 field sites, have been approved by the programme steering board for further development. More detailed work now needs to be done to ensure that the applicants are able to deliver the required learning within the capacity of the programme. Officials from the Modernisation Agency will visit each of these 50 applicants soon, and we will publish a list of participants in the options for change field sites once this work has been completed.
	Some 79 applications were found not to fall within the seven key themes in the options for change report. The remaining 10, while not suitable for field site status, are being considered for inclusion in other modernisation programmes, for example, development of the information technology infrastructure for National Health Service dentistry andpersonal dental services pilot schemes.
	With their positive response to the call for applications to become field sites dentists have demonstrated a most welcome commitment to changing the way in which NHS dentistry is organised. This together with the Government's intention to legislate to enable far reaching reform for NHS dentistry provides an opportunity to address the problems that have been identified with the system over many years.

Dentists

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average salary is for an NHS dentist in (a) each health authority and (b) England.

David Lammy: Information on the average salary for salaried national health service dentists is not available. These dentists are paid on national salary scales determined by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body.
	Principal dentists in the general dental service (GDS) are self employed. They receive gross fees which are related to the amount and range of treatment they perform and the number of patients registered with them. These exclude other payments such as superannuation, reimbursement of non-domestic rates, commitment payments, training allowances as well as maternity and sickness payments. Dentists' earnings from sources other than NHS dentistry are not included.
	For dentists in Great Britain income after expenses was about 45.2 per cent. of dentists gross income in 2000–01.
	Information on the average gross fees paid to a GDS dentist for providing NHS dental treatment in each health authority and England for year ending March 2002 has been placed in the Library. The averages will be affected by the amount and type of dental work done in each HA.

DXA Scans (Hull and East Riding)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many DXA scans were completed in Hull and the East Riding in 2002.

Jacqui Smith: There were 6,716 dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans completed at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust from January to December 2002.
	Source:
	Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust

East Yorkshire Primary Care Trust

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money is available to primary care trusts from central government for the provision of digital hearing aids; and how much money the East Yorkshire Primary Care Trust needs to provide as a top up to government grant.

Jacqui Smith: In the current financial year, £20 million has been made available for the modernising hearing aid services project. This enabled the 20 first-wave trusts to continue running; an additional 30 to join the project and 17 more to be provided with equipment so that they can begin to provide digital hearing aids from April. Items such as training and equipment are paid for centrally while other funding is made to the national health service trusts providing the service.
	For second wave sites the Department of Health pays the full cost of updating information technology and other equipment. We are also paying 75 per cent. of the additional cost of providing digital, rather than analogue aids and 75 per cent. of the additional staffing cost arising from operating a modernised service. We expect primary care trusts to support the modernised service by contributing the remaining 25 per cent. of revenue costs.

Entertainment

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on entertainment by the Department of Health in 2002–03; and what is budgeted to be spent on entertainment in (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06.

David Lammy: Expenditure arises on hospitality and entertainment only in the context of promoting the Department's business objectives. All such expenditure is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in "Government Accounting".
	No specific budget amount is allocated for hospitality and entertainment, which is only one element of the Department's overall administrative budget. £88,503 was spent in the period April to December 2002.

Fluoridation

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Medical Research Council report on water fluoridation published on 4 September; and what advice his Department has received from (a) Sir Liam Donaldson and (b) Professor Raman Bedi on the implications of the MRC report for Government policy on fluoridation.

Hazel Blears: We have asked the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Dental Officer to consider how the success of existing fluoridation schemes in improving oral health and the oral health benefits residents of naturally fluoridated areas enjoy might be extended to other communities who wish it.
	The Medical Research Council has identified and prioritised the research necessary to strengthen the evidence base on fluoridation and the Department is already taking action to commission appropriate research.

Food Additives

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total value of the domestic market for (a) food colourings and (b) approved food additives was in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 21 January 2003
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Department does not collect statistics on the value of the market and trade for these items.

Foundation Hospitals

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many three star hospitals (a) have been invited to apply and (b) have applied for foundation hospital status.

John Hutton: holding answer 28 January 2003
	Following publication of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts on 11 December 2002, applications to become foundation trusts have been invited from acute and specialist NHS trusts, which achieved three star status in the NHS performance ratings, published in July 2002.
	The application process has now begun and the closing date for preliminary applications is 28 February 2003. In March 2003, we intend to announce a shortlist of candidates once preliminary applications have been assessed.

Foundation Hospitals

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions have taken place between the Department and Chairman and Chief Executives of three star hospital trusts regarding applications for foundation hospital trust status.

John Hutton: holding answer 28 January 2003
	Departmental officials are engaging in on-going discussions, covering all aspects of the policy for the establishment of national health service foundation trusts, with the current cohort of three star acute and specialist trusts.

GP Provision (Southend)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken to meet patient demand for general practitioners in Southend-on-Sea.

David Lammy: Southend Primary Care Trust (PCT) is undertaking a number of initiatives to meet patient demand for general practitioners. It has been involved in international recruitment since September 2002 and is in the final stages of contract negotiations to recruit general practitioners from Spain.
	In addition the PCT is working to increase the numbers of nurse practitioners in Southend to give more time for general practitioners to focus on those patients with higher levels of need.

Health Professionals (Contagious Diseases)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) other health professionals have (i) HIV and (ii) hepatitis B, broken down by country of birth, at the most recent date for which information is available.

Hazel Blears: We do not hold this information centrally. However, we have recently published for consultation draft guidance for the national health service entitled "Health clearance for serious communicable diseases: new health care workers"—http://www.doh.gov.uk/healthclear.
	This guidance proposes strengthening existing health checks for tuberculosis and hepatitis B and introducing new ones for HIV and hepatitis C. We will be considering monitoring needs as part of implementation of the guidance following consultation.

Health Protection Agency (Staff)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the risk of a loss of staff expertise during the formation of the Health Protection Agency; and what measures he has put in place to prevent this.

Hazel Blears: Records of staff turnover are not held centrally. However, information from each of the component organisations indicates that there have been no dramatic increases in the overall number of staff resignations. The Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) has indicated that there are above average resignations in a small number of management posts, potentially directly affected by the proposed changes. The Department will be working with the PHLS board to address any business continuity issues that may arise as a consequence.

HPA

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what terms and conditions of employment will apply to staff in the HPA after 1 April; and how these will differ from current terms and conditions.

Hazel Blears: Staff transferring to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) will retain their terms and conditions of employment, which apply at the time of transfer, until harmonised terms and conditions of employment are agreed with recognised trade unions. The HPA as a special health authority will adopt National Health Service terms and conditions of employment for new employees.
	It is the intention to establish the HPA as a non-departmental public body when legislative time permits. It would then be a matter for the HPA board to determine, subject to consultation, what terms and conditions will apply.

HPA

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the 1 per cent. increase in Employers' National Insurance contributions will be fully funded for the HPA and its component organisations.

Hazel Blears: The allocation for the Health Protection Agency is still to be confirmed. In coming to a decision, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will have regard to all the pressures which the organisation will have to meet in the coming year.

HPA

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work the HPA Steering Group has done to allocate budgets to the different component organisations for 2003–04; and how those budgets differ from the current financial year.

Hazel Blears: Work is ongoing to establish costs and pressures in the component parts so that when the total available is announced the steering group will be in a position to make a recommendation to the Health Protection Agency board.

HPA

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on plans to introduce an HPA payroll system.

Hazel Blears: From 1 April 2003, the Health Protection Agency will operate the two payroll systems transferring from the Public Health Laboratory Service and the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what percentage of prescriptions via the NHS were for patients receiving jobseeker's allowance in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many patient prescriptions claimed to be receiving jobseeker's allowance in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: The available information, in respect of England, is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Number of prescription items (millions) Percentage of total items dispensed 
			  Income based jobseeker's allowance Income based jobseeker's allowance as a percentage of total items dispensed 
		
		
			 1997 2.4 0.5 
			 1998 4.4 0.9 
			 1999 6.1 1.3 
			 2000 6.7 1.3 
			 2001 6.3 1.2 
		
	
	The information is in respect of prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors. Information is only available separately in respect of recipients of income based jobseekers allowance.

Midwifery

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the future provision for midwifery training; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Between 1996–97 and 2001–02, the number of students entering training to become a midwife, both by direct training and the post-registration route from nursing, has increased by 226 (14 per cent.). Latest figures suggest a further increase of around 200 in the current financial year. We are expecting further increases in the numbers entering midwifery training over the next three years. Plans are currently being developed by workforce development confederations.
	The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and workforce development confederations are required to ensure that midwifery education is quality assured. A benchmark statement for midwifery education was published in 2002. It brings together all the stakeholder requirements, i.e., the NMC, workforce development confederations and higher education, as a single shared statement that describes the nature, characteristics and expected standards and learning outcomes of midwifery programmes.
	During the academic years 2003–06, all national health service funded midwifery education, alongside nursing and allied health professional education, will be reviewed, against respective benchmark statements, using the new integrated and streamlined process of major review. Reports will be published for each higher education institution and their associated workforce development confederation.

Mixed Sex Wards

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the use of mixed sex wards.

John Hutton: In 1997 we made a commitment to end mixed-sex accommodation in 95 per cent., of national health service trusts by December 2002. The NHS responded with drive and determination and has now met or exceeded the targets we set. The elimination of mixed sex accommodation is an exceptional achievement and testament to the commitment of professionals across the NHS.
	May I also refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made on 14 January 2003, Official Report, column 24WS.

Motor Neurone Disease

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of support his Department provides for research into and treatment of motor neurone disease; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The Department of Health also funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the national health service.
	The MRC spent £1.4 million in 2001–02 on research relevant to motor neurone disease (MND) and on basic work on the function of motor neurones. The MRC also supports a large portfolio of basic research into the biology of the brain and the nervous system in both normal and diseased states. Such studies may well have relevance to the treatment of MND and related conditions in the future.
	The Department of Health has also supported work in this area. Recent research projects include "The Clinical Effectiveness and Cost Effectiveness of Riluzole for the Treatment of Motor Neurone Disease" that completed in December 2001. There is an on-going project on speech recognition for people with severe dysarthria that is due for completion in July 2003. Dysarthria is the inability to articulate speech and is common in MND patients.
	Also, a project entitled "Health and Independence through Education: a controlled evaluation" ended last year. It assessed the value of education in promoting health and independence for people with progressive neurological disorders.
	The national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions will have a particular focus on the needs of people with neurological disease, brain and spinal injury, as well as some of the common issues, such as access to services, faced by people with a long-term condition. The NSF will include services for people with Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, MND and other similar conditions. Publication of the NSF is currently planned for 2004, with implementation starting in 2005.

Mr. Reginald Crew

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications of the case of Mr.Reginald Crew; and what plans he has to review policy on euthanasia in the United Kingdom.

David Lammy: The Government has followed the case of Mr Crew and understands the suffering of many who have a terminal illness and those who care for them. It is right that dying patients should be relieved of suffering through the provision of adequate care and support. However, euthanasia, the intentional taking of life at the patient's request or for a merciful motive, is unlawful in the United Kingdom. Similarly, assisted suicide is unlawful under the Suicide Act 1 961.
	The Government has no plans to change the law in this area.

NHS Direct

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of CAS calls at NHS Direct (Midland Shires) have ended with a nurse giving advice.

David Lammy: 38 per cent. of all calls to NHS Direct Midland Shires are completed with advice or information.

NHS Direct

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contingency plans are in place for NHS Direct to cope with surges in activity due to flu-like illness.

David Lammy: In addition to its own historic data NHS Direct draws on a numbers of external sources, including reports produced by the Public Health Laboratory Service, in order to forecast and plan for seasonal increases in demand, including flu like illness. NHS Direct has well rehearsed local and national plans to deal with increases in demand to ensure service resilience.

NHS Direct

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of NHS Direct nurses were recruited from (a) secondary care specialities and (b) primary care.

David Lammy: On the basis of the information available, 27 per cent. of NHS Direct nurses were recruited from secondary care specialities and 33 per cent. from primary care.

NICE

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total cost to the NHS of guidance issued to date by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence since the Department announced that guidance would be mandatory.

Hazel Blears: The Directions which place on National Health Service funding bodies the obligation to provide funding within three months for all recommendations in Technology Appraisal Guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), except where ministers explicitly direct otherwise, were published on 14 December 2001.
	The estimated annual cost to the NHS in England of all NICE technology appraisals published since that date is approximately £350 million per annum. The Directions apply to all NICE technology appraisals, including those completed before 14 December 2001.

Nurses

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 25 November 2002, Official Report, column 136W, on ethical foreign nurse recruitment, what action he has taken on the reported cases of breaches in the code of conduct.

John Hutton: holding answer 15 January2003
	Reported breaches of the code of practice have been taken up with the relevant agency, and the agency has had the opportunity to respond to the allegations. In each of the reported cases, officials have been satisfied that the organisation in question is operating in line with the code of practice.

Nursing Agencies

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 17 December 2002, Official Report, ref 86806, how many nursing agencies his Department has investigated (a) this year and (b) last year because the nursing agencies' behaviour appeared to be inconsistent with the code of practice.

John Hutton: No evidence of non-compliance with the code of practice has been brought to the attention of the Department of Health and no investigations have been undertaken to date.
	The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency is working with the national health service through a procurement programme for the provision of temporary staffing by commercial agencies across the NHS in England. As the framework agreements are awarded, the agencies will be contractually bound to comply with detailed quality standards, including compliance with the code of practice. The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency will ensure that all successful agencies are complying with their contractual obligations. A full range of national audits into compliance will begin in summer 2003.

Paediatric Pathology

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's strategy on the development of paediatric pathology.

John Hutton: holding answer 23 January 2003
	The Department of Health is aware of the challenges facing the national health service paediatric pathology services, highlighted in the recent report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, "The Future of Paediatric Pathology Services". We are committed to working closely with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Pathologists to improve long-term staffing levels in this speciality. The establishment of three histopathology training schools and of International Fellowships to attract experienced histopathologists to work in the NHS will both increase the pool from which paediatric pathologists can be recruited. The children's care group work force team is also considering this issue.

Parliamentary Questions

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will answer the parliamentary questions numbered (a) 82781, (b) 84772, (c) 87547, (d) 88559, (e) 88564, (f) 89789, (g) 91130, (h) 91129 and (i) 91126.

John Hutton: holding answer 29 January 2003
	I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave on 20 January 2003, Official Report, columns 118W and 130W, to the reply that I gave on 23 January 2003, Official Report, column 480W, to the reply that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham, gave on 22 January 2003, Official Report, column 393W, and to the reply that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Salford, gave on 22 January 2003, Official Report, columns 392–93. The other replies were sent on Tuesday 28 January and Wednesday 29 January. The question numbered 89789 was tabled for the Ministry of Defence.

PHLS Laboratories

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional resources NHS trusts are receiving to finance the running costs of the transferred PHLS laboratories.

Hazel Blears: Currently, Public Health Laboratory Service central funding in laboratories, which will transfer to National Health Service trusts, supports both routine diagnostic as well as specialist public health work.
	That funding which supports routine diagnostic work will be provided to the NHS Trusts via a host primary care trust (PCT) for one year. It will then be subsumed into PCT baseline funding in time for the trusts to agree contract prices for the following year.
	That part of the central funding which supports specialist public health work will be provided to the NHS trust via the Health Protection Agency, under a service level agreement and will remain at the 2002–03 level for at least the first two years.

Prisoners (Mental Health)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prisoners with mental health problems are awaiting transfer to secure hospitals; and what proportion have been waiting (a) for up to three months, (b) between three and six months, (c) between six months and a year and (d) more than a year.

Jacqui Smith: Data are not currently collected in the form requested. However, between 1 October and 31 December 2002, 651 prisoners were identified by health care staff in prisons as requiring mental health assessment for possible transfer to secure hospital. In that same period 258 prisoners were transferred. The position on 31 December 2002 was that, of those accepted and waiting for a transfer to hospital, 33 had waited longer than three months.

Salt

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are in place to moderate the levels of salt in processed food.

Hazel Blears: There are no guidelines in operation at the present time on moderating the levels of salt in processed foods.
	The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition is currently considering whether the evidence on dietary salt and health has altered since it was looked at in 1994 by the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition. Salt intakes by adults are currently recommended to reduce by around 30 per cent. A final report on this is expected to be published in the spring. In anticipation of the report, the Food Standards Agency and the Department are currently engaged in discussions with the food industry about salt reductions in processed foods already achieved and the scope for further reductions.

Salt

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) obligatory and (b) voluntary packaging symbols exist to advise consumers of salt levels in processed food.

Hazel Blears: The use of symbols or logos to advise consumers of salt levels is not obligatory. The Government do not collate information on the voluntary use of symbols on packaging.
	Under current food law, nutrition labelling of foods is voluntary unless a nutrition claim about the food is made. Where claims are made about the quantity of salt present in packaged food, either in words of by using voluntary logos or symbols, full nutrition information must be given. The Food Standards Agency is pressing for European Union rules to require compulsory nutrition labelling (including a declaration of salt content) on all foods, and in a format that is consumer friendly. Consumer research is being carried out to determine the ideal content and format of the nutrition label.

Service Delivery Agreement

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department's service delivery agreement for 2003 to 2006 will be published.

David Lammy: The Department of Health, as one of the four key delivery departments has agreed a combined public service agreement (PSA) delivery contract with the Prime Minister's delivery unit and Her Majesty's Treasury.
	A Department's service delivery agreement (SDA) would typically serve to supplement the PSA by describing how the targets contained in the PSA will be achieved over the course of the agreement. The Department has set out its approach to delivery in a key publication, "Improvement, Expansion and Reform: Priorities and Planning Framework 2003–06", which can be found on the Department's website and will be linked to Her Majesty's Treasury's website as its SDA.

Sickness Absence

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rate of staff (a) absenteeism and (b) sickness was in his Department and each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year from 1990–91 to 2002–03; what the target set is for his Department; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: In respect of absenteeism in the Department of Health, the information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The information requested regarding sickness in the Department is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Average(7) days lost per employee through sickness in the Department of Health and its agencies Targets set for reducing sickness absence in the Department of Health (days) 
		
		
			 1990 (8),(9)— — 
			 1991 (8),(9)— — 
			 1992 (8),(9)— — 
			 1993 9.7 — 
			 1994 9.68 — 
			 1995 9.8 — 
			 1996 7.14 — 
			 1997 7.8 — 
			 1998 7.4 — 
			 1999 6.8 6.6 
			 2000 5.5 5.5 
			 2001 6.5 7.9 
			 2002 (10)— (10)— 
		
	
	(7) Working days absences exclude weekends and bank holidays for staff working a Monday to Friday week.
	2 Combined data for the Departments of Health and Social Security continued to be collected by the then Department of Social Security (DSS) following the break up of the Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS). Separate figures are not available for the Department of Health.
	(8) Not available.
	(9) Not published.
	The information for non-departmental public bodies is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Speech Therapists

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to encourage the study of speech therapy and the take-up of speech therapy positions.

John Hutton: holding answer 28 January 2003
	The Government are implementing a range of measures to improve recruitment and retention of all staff, including speech therapists. These include an increase in pay, encouraging the national health service to become a better employer through the Improving Working Lives and Positively Diverse programmes, increasing training commissions, reducing student attrition, running national and local recruitment and return to practice campaigns and supporting international recruitment where appropriate.
	Further information on Improving Working Lives is available at www.doh.gov.uk/iwl These measures are being implemented nationally.

TENYAS

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff have been contacted from third-parties by TENYAS in the past 12 months; and what their duties were.

Jacqui Smith: Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust (TENYAS) has requested assistance from the St. John's Ambulance Service on three occasions during 2002.
	In addition, TENYAS has a service agreement with the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service. During January 2003, a crew based at the Hull Royal Infirmary helped in the assistance of inter-hospital transfer of patients.

Three-star Hospitals

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many three star hospitals there are in (a) the north west and (b) England.

John Hutton: holding answer 28 January 2003
	The most recent performance ratings, published in July 2002, included a total of 46 three-star hospital trusts in England. Of these, nine were in the north west of England.

Tobacco Regulatory Council

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to establish a tobacco regulatory authority.

Hazel Blears: Given the trans-national nature of tobacco, we believe that much of the work of a tobacco regulatory authority is best carried out at a European level. There are therefore no plans to establish such an authority at present in the United Kingdom. The Government will, however, keep this situation under review.
	In the meantime, the Government is committed to regulating tobacco and recently introduced legislation to transpose the Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco Products Directive (2001/37/EC). This new legislation will require greater information on the content, emissions and effects of tobacco to be displayed on packets of tobacco; and information on the ingredients and additives in tobacco products and their purpose and effect to be disclosed to Government.

Waiting Times (Hull and East Riding)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients admitted to accident and emergency departments in Hull and East Riding waited more than 12 hours before being treated in each of the last two quarters for which figures are available.

David Lammy: Data are not collected for individual hospitals. The average waiting time for outpatients attending Hull & East Yorkshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust is nine weeks. The maximum outpatient waiting time will reduce to 21 weeks by March 2003.
	Source:
	Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust

Waiting Times (Hull and East Riding)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people waited over 12 months for an operation in Hull and the East Riding in the last year for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) date indicate that 3,505 people waited more than 12 months in Hull and East Riding in financial year 2001–02.

Whistleblowers

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria his Department has for identifying whistleblowing inside the health service; and what mechanisms are in place for a whistleblower, whose case has been dismissed by a trust, to have his case examined by the Department.

John Hutton: The Government expect a climate of openness and dialogue in the national health service that encourages staff to feel able to raise concerns about health care matters sensibly and responsibly without fear of victimisation.
	On 27 August 1999, the Department of Health issued new guidance in Health Service Circular 1999/198, "The Public Interest Disclosure Act: Whistleblowing in the NHS", to all NHS trusts and health authorities. The HSC advises that all NHS trusts and health authorities are expected to issue guidance to staff so that they know how to raise concerns in a reasonable and responsible way. The Department's policy is that, wherever possible, concerns raised by staff should be dealt with locally in accordance with local policies and procedures on whistleblowing, so that problems can be addressed quickly. However, there have been cases where whistleblowers have considered the local response inadequate, and, as a consequence, have sought to raise their concerns with the Department. At present, these cases would be examined by the relevant Directorate of Health and Social Care, on behalf of the Department.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

North Greenwich (Millennium Dome)

Joyce Quin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent assessment his Department has made of the effects on the regeneration of North Greenwich of the Millennium Dome; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: One of the stated objectives of the Millennium Experience was to support the regeneration efforts on the Greenwich Peninsula. English Partnerships' acquisition of land on the Greenwich Peninsula for the Millennium celebrations has so far resulted in: reclamation of 289 acres of despoiled land; installation of servicing and public access across the land; private investment of over £400 million in the Millennium Village, a new cinema, retail and hotel developments on the Peninsula; the provision of a new school and health centre; 50 acres of new parkland, a new ecology park and yacht club, and over 12,000 trees planted. The Village will ultimately have some 1,400 homes, 300 of which have been completed so far: 20 per cent. will be affordable.
	A study commissioned by the New Millennium Experience Company, English Partnerships and the London borough of Greenwich in 1999 found that the preparation for and running of the Millennium celebrations at the Dome led to the creation of 7,700 jobs in construction, 5,300 jobs in management and operation of the Dome. In addition, of the £500 million worth of contracts let for the Dome, companies in Greenwich won £44.7 million.
	These developments and activities have helped narrow the gap between the unemployment rate in Greenwich and the rate in London from 2.9 per cent. in April 1993 to 1.0 per cent. in November 2002.
	The regeneration momentum is being maintained, and will be boosted further on the Peninsula by the deal signed by English Partnerships on 29 May 2002, under which Meridian Delta Ltd and Anschutz Entertainment Group are committed to investing £200 million in the Dome. MDL expects the total investment in the development on the Greenwich Peninsula to be up to £4 billion. The development is expected to deliver around 20,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
	The deal is subject primarily to planning permission. An application for planning permission was submitted to Greenwich Council on 23 December 2002, for a new 26,000 capacity arena inside the Dome, with associated leisure, entertainment, retail, exhibition and community uses in and around the Dome; over 10,000 homes on the Peninsula of which a substantial number will be affordable; 3.5 million sq. ft. of commercial development; and associated infrastructure and public open space. An interim base-line study and evaluation published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in 2000 confirmed that the Peninsula developments were acting as a catalyst for regeneration in Greenwich and the Thames Gateway, and that the developments demonstrated best practice in terms of sustainable development. It is intended to follow up that research with a further evaluation and long-term monitoring of the Peninsula regeneration.

Cleveland Fire Brigade

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many firefighters serve in the Cleveland fire brigade; what percentage are from ethnic minorities; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: There are 695 operational staff employed by Cleveland Fire Brigade. 0.58 per cent. are from minority ethnic backgrounds.
	The report of the Independent Review of the Fire Service stressed the importance of a diverse workforce and the need to improve the representation of minority groups within the fire service. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will continue to work with the fire service to achieve a work force that better reflects the communities it serves; to help the service remove barriers to creating a more diverse workforce and to assist in raising the profile of the service as a career choice within currently under-represented groups. The Fire White Paper due to be published later this year will address equality and diversity issues.

Fire Services Act

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his plans for possible repeal of section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947.

Nick Raynsford: An amendment to the Local Government Bill will be put down to repeal section 19 (subsections 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8) of the Fire Services Act 1947 so that Parliament can consider the issue. This repeal would remove the requirement for fire authorities to seek approval of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister before making any reduction, no matter how minor, in the number of firefighting posts or appliances, or before closing a fire station. We do not believe that in a modern fire service my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister should take these decisions. They should be taken by democratically accountable fire authorities, acting on the professional advice of chief fire officers and after consulting locally as at present.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will soon be consulting on the proposed guidance to fire authorities on how to apply the new approach.

Firefighters' Dispute

John Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to yield to the benefit of local fire authorities any net savings in firefighters' salaries arising from strike action over and above the contingency costs of covering that strike action.

Nick Raynsford: There will be no net savings to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The costs to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of providing emergency fire cover will exceed the amount deducted by fire authorities from striking fire fighters' pay.

Homelessness

Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what legislative changes would be necessary to enable local authorities to discharge their duties under Part VI of the Homelessness Act 2002 by offering homeless households in priority need a choice of accommodation both within and outside that local authority area.

Tony McNulty: No legislative change is necessary. The Homelessness Act 2002 amends Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 which governs the allocation of social housing by local authorities. The amendments to the 1996 Act which came into force on 31 January 2003, include a provision to make it easier for housing authorities to offer housing applicants a choice of accommodation, whether they live within or outside that local authority area. This includes people who are unintentionally homeless and in priority need who must be given reasonable preference under a housing authority's allocation scheme.

House Building Profession

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the number of persons needed in the house building profession.

Tony McNulty: My right hon. Friend Lord Rooker and my hon. Friend the Member for Hull, West and Hessle (Alan Johnson) met in November to discuss sustainable communities. Construction issues were discussed as part of the meeting. Officials in the Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are in frequent contact on construction issues.

Housing

Peter Pike: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to announce funding allocations for the Housing Renewal Pathfinder Pilot Area; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Additional funding for the Housing Market Renewal pathfinder projects will be announced as part of the Communities Plan to be launched very shortly. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister intends to make a statement at the time of the launch.

Milton Keynes/South Midlands Study

Andrew Selous: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will announce the conclusions of the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Study.

Tony McNulty: The final report for the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Study was published in September 2002. The Regional Planning Bodies for the East Midlands, South East and East of England are now considering the study recommendations and will publish alterations to regional planning guidance in due course, in the light of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's forthcoming statement Sustainable Communities; Building for the Future.

New Lettings

Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what time scale the Housing Corporation and the London boroughs are working within to agree a framework across London for the pooling of nominations for new lettings on a sub-regional basis; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The framework for new lettings will apply to all general needs new supply allocations from the Housing Corporation's 2003–04 Approved Development Programme (ADP). The details of the framework are being finalised by local authorities and it is hoped that agreement will be reached by 1 April 2003 or shortly thereafter, depending on when the ADP allocations are approved.

Rents

Peter Lilley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what information he has collated on the (a) rent charges for former council homes that are being let by private landlords and (b) rent levels for similar council-owned properties; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not have any information on the rent charges for former council homes currently let by private landlords. However, such homes would be let at market rents.
	Council rents are generally well below market rates, as a result of the subsidy Government pays to support council housing and the fact that authorities are not required to make a return on the capital employed. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's rent restructuring policy for England aims to keep rents affordable to tenants and well below market levels.
	The following table shows the average rent levels for council homes in England by Government region from 1996 to 2002.
	
		Local authority average weekly unrebated rents at the end of April each year in England -- £
		
			  1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 England 40.13 41.17 42.25 43.83 45.62 47.87 49.42 
			 North East 33.37 34.17 35.28 36.76 38.54 40.43 41.39 
			 North West 37.70 38.38 39.49 40.57 42.24 44.20 45.51 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 31.44 32.36 33.64 35.11 36.95 39.44 41.22 
			 East Midlands 34.20 35.67 33.67 38.05 39.66 41.45 42.94 
			 West Midlands 37.03 37.96 38.83 39.82 41.31 44.68 45.27 
			 East 41.37 42.71 44.20 45.59 47.78 49.94 51.40 
			 London 52.94 54.23 55.25 58.00 60.17 62.36 64.29 
			 South East 45.96 47.05 48.36 50.55 51.97 53.98 55.86 
			 South West 40.85 41.45 42.48 43.59 44.99 46.55 47.89

Right to Buy

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the changes to the Right to Buy in the London Boroughs of (a) Havering, (b) Barking and Dagenham and (c) Greenwich.

Tony McNulty: The London Boroughs of Havering, Barking and Dagenham, and Greenwich are not among the 42 local authority areas with greatest pressure on their local housing markets mentioned in my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's statement on 22 January 2003.

Right to Buy

David Davis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people have bought homes under the right-to-buy scheme in (a) Haltemprice and Howden and (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire in each year for which figures are available since the scheme began.

Tony McNulty: Information is not available below local authority level. The available information reported by the former authorities comprising the East Riding of Yorkshire unitary authority and, from April 1996, by the authority itself, is in the table.
	
		Reported right-to-buy sales in East Riding of Yorkshire: 1980–81 to June 2002
		
			  Beverley East Yorkshire Holderness Boothferry East Riding of Yorkshire UA 
		
		
			 1980–81 0 14 11 0  
			 1981–82 183 267 137 2  
			 1982–83 249 133 110 0  
			 1983–84 226 73 (3) 83 0  
			 1984–85 107 78 66 0  
			 1985–86 101 0 50 0  
			 1986–87 111 70 65 0  
			 1987–88 118 136 65 0  
			 1988–89 237 0 126 0  
			 1989–90 198 105 (2) 93 0  
			 1990–91 83 69 30 0  
			 1991–92 69 42 25 0 (2)  
			 1992–93 46 21 23 0  
			 1993–94 40 n/a 25 0  
			 1994–95 67 55 21 0  
			 1995–96 49 (3) 28 (3) 20 11 (3)  
			 1996–97 151 
			 1997–98 173 
			 1998–99 217 
			 1999–2000 229 
			 2000–01 253 
			 2001–02 286 
			 April to June 2002 83 
		
	
	Note:
	Where there has not been full reporting, the figures in brackets indicate the number of quarters for which complete information is available within the financial year.
	Source:
	DOE/DETR/DTLR/ODPM quarterly P1B returns.
	In addition to these reported right-to-buy sales, the former East Riding authorities recorded some 3,000 other council house sales, 2,150 of which were by Boothferry local council.

Travellers (Permanent Sites)

Bob Russell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister by what date local authorities had to submit applications for financial support in the current financial year for the provision of permanent sites for travellers; how many local authorities made applications; how many were successful; what the total sum available for financial support was; and how much is unallocated.

Tony McNulty: For the second round of the Gypsy Site Refurbishment Grant, £6 million has been made available to local authorities to help improve and maintain their existing sites. Applications to bid for grant for the 2002–03 financial year were received in January 2002. A total of 86 bids were received from 47 local authorities with 57 bids approved. The sum of the costs of projects approved was £8,112,613. The office of the Deputy Prime Minister will pay a maximum of £6,084,466 which is 75 per cent. of the total cost of approved projects.
	Application forms for bids for the Gypsy Sites Refurbishment Grant 2003–04 were received on 13 of January 2003. A total of 92 applications were received from 53 local authorities in England. The bids are currently under assessment and results will be announced in March 2003.
	The Gypsy Site Refurbishment Grant for 2003–04 covers funding for sites refurbishment as well as provision of transit and stopping place sites. The total amount of money available for both Schemes is £8 million.

PRIME MINISTER

Gibraltar

Richard Spring: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions the Prime Minister had with the Prime Minister of Spain at their meeting on 30 January, on Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: My discussions with Prime Minister Aznar during our meeting in Madrid on 30 January focused exclusively on Iraq.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Call Centres

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action his Department is taking in response to the National Audit Office report, Using call centres to deliver public services (HC 134); and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: The NAO report recommends that Departments should: ensure that planned improvements in efficiency and quality of service are achieved; adopt a portfolio approach to assessing quality of service; ensure that reliable information is available and regularly monitored to give assurance that services are delivered cost effectively; manage call centre resources to handle peaks and troughs in the volume of calls; and provide better information for the public on the services which they can obtain by telephone.
	The Department welcomes this report. As far as the specific recommendations are concerned:
	DWP accepts the need for a robust business case covering the development of all new centres and for effective planning and monitoring to ensure that the expected benefits are actually realised. The Department has established new governance procedures to ensure that modernisation projects only proceed to the next stage of development if an appropriate business case, including appropriate plans for realising benefits, is in place.
	DWP accepts the portfolio approach to measuring the quality of service it provides from its centres. We already use a variety of measures (cost, efficiency, customer service etc) but are always looking for ways to improve our measures. In particular our central Contact Centre Advisory Team are currently developing proposals for measuring customer satisfaction in a way that gives quicker feedback to our centre managers. We expect this new methodology to be ready for piloting in the summer of 2003.
	All new DWP centres are being developed using modern IT designed to give managers at all levels a wide range of information about the cost and effectiveness of the service provided. Managers are being trained, in understanding the data they receive and acting on it to improve performance. Some of our existing centres operate on old IT that does not give access to as much information as we would like, for these centres we will update their technology as and when opportunities arise.
	All new DWP centres are being established with appropriate work force management software. Several of our older centres lack this software. Our central Contact Centre Advisory Team have recently secured funding for a project to provide this software to the older centres that don't currently have it, this project is due to complete its work in September 2003.
	DWP routinely publicises details of its services in telephone directories, on leaflets and letters and on its website.
	DWP is keen to develop and improve the service it gives its customers. With that in mind we have become foundation partners of the Call Centre Association and our central advisory team, working closely with the CCA, have developed a good practice framework for DWP centres and are developing the process through which our centres will be able to secure professional accreditation.

Disability Living Allowance

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Disability Living Allowance appeals were successful on (a) reconsideration and (b) aural tribunal for people whose main disabling condition is deafness in (i) England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales since 1997.

Maria Eagle: The information is not available.

Disability Living Allowance

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of people (a) with a disability and (b) whose main disabling condition is deafness received disability living allowance in the United Kingdom in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2002.

Maria Eagle: The information in the following table indicates the total number of people receiving Disability Living Allowance and those whose main disabling condition is deafness or deafness and blindness in Great Britain at 31 August 1997 and 2002. Information for Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
	
		Thousands
		
			  1997 2002 
		
		
			 All DLA recipients 1,926.2 2,385.8 
			 Deaf or deaf and blind DLA 16.7 28.9 
		
	
	Source
	IAD Information Centre, data taken from 5 per cent. sample as at 31 August each year.
	Figures in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred
	It is estimated that there are 8,582,200 disabled adults in Great Britain (aged 16+). This estimate is based on a survey published in 1999 1 , and it is therefore not possible to calculate the proportion of disabled people receiving DLA in 1997 and 2002 from this information, as the data are not comparable. The survey estimated that 34 per cent. of disabled people had a disability related to hearing.
	It should be noted that entitlement to Disability Living Allowance is based on the extent to which a severely disabled person requires attention, supervision or watching over by another person and/or has walking difficulties as a result of their disabilities, and not on the disabilities themselves. In addition, the majority of people who are hard of hearing are over the age of 65. People who become disabled after reaching age 65 claim Attendance Allowance instead of Disability Living Allowance. For these reasons, there is no meaningful correlation between the numbers of disabled and deaf people in Great Britain and the numbers receiving Disability Living Allowance.
	1 Grundy, E., Ahlburg, D., Ali, M., Breeze, E. and Sloggett, A. (1999) Disability in Great Britain: Results from the 1996–97 Disability Follow-Up to the Family Resources Survey, Department of Social Security Research Report No.94.

External Consultants

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the projects on which external consultants have been used by his Department in each of the last four financial years for which data is available; and if he will indicate which firms of consultants were used on each project.

Ian McCartney: The information is not held centrally or in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Gender Income Gap

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average gap, expressed as a percentage, was between the incomes of all working (a) women and (b) men for the last year for which figures are available.

Patricia Hewitt: I have been asked to reply.
	In 2000–01 women working full-time had weekly median income of £295 per week, 78 per cent. of the weekly median income of men working full time (£379 per week). Women working part-time had weekly median income of £135, 82 per cent. of the weekly median income of men working part-time (£164 per week). These figures reflect differences between men and women in hours worked in addition to differences in hourly rates of pay.

K Shoes Factory (Kendal)

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to assist those who become unemployed following the closure of the K Shoes factory in Kendal to find new work.

Nick Brown: JobCentre Plus offers assistance to help companies handle any significant reduction in staffing they may have to make, and help to those employees who are affected in identifying alternative jobs or any training they require.
	In the case of the K Shoes factory in Kendal, JobCentre Plus has already agreed to give those employees being made redundant immediate access to its employment and training programmes. JobCentre Plus is working closely with the employer and the local authority. Together they have arranged to run advice and information sessions in the factory during the week commencing 3 February 2003 and have planned a jobs fair for the 14 February 2003.

Pension Payment (Automated Credit Transfer)

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) existing and (b) new state retirement pension claimants have opted for payment via automated credit transfer in each of the last 12 months.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available in the format requested as the statistics are collated on a periodic basis. The information that is available is in the following tables.
	
		Analysis of cases on computer main file
		
			 Period ending Total live cases Order book cases Order payable cases ACT cases 
		
		
			 30 November 2001 9,610,506 4,958,548 179,760 4,472,198 
			 20 February 2002 9,601,651 4,899,331 173,174 4,529,146 
			 30 April 2002 9,605,886 4,858,229 172,523 4,575,134 
			 30 June 2002 9,616,957 4,824,513 171,176 4,621,268 
			 31 August 2002 9,622,462 4,786,398 169,294 4,666,770 
			 29 November 2002 9,644,971 4,713,765 165,896 4,765,310 
		
	
	
		Analysis of first payment to new State Retirement claimants—by method of payments
		
			 Period ending Order book cases Order payable cases ACT cases 
		
		
			 30 November 2001 35,125 496 62,701 
			 28 February 2002 50,626 673 88,271 
			 30 April 2002 34,116 498 57,671 
			 30 June 2002 31,098 451 57,544 
			 31 August 2002 36,032 485 67,345 
			 29 November 2002 48,079 607 95,180 
		
	
	Source:
	Method of Payment Scan—Pension Strategy Computer System 27 November 2002

Pre-Budget Report

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the constituent parts of the allocation of the planned expenditure for (a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04, (c) 2004–05 and (d) 2005–06, set out in Table B15 of the Pre-Budget Report 2002.

Ian McCartney: Latest information on the approved allocation of planned expenditure for 2002–03 is published in the Central Government Supply Estimates 2002–03, Winter Supplementary Estimates and New Estimates, command number HC43. The allocations will change, subject to Parliamentary Approval of the Spring Supplementary, and will be published in the Central Government Supply Estimates 2002–03, Spring Supplementary Estimates and New Estimates in February 2003.
	Approved allocations for future years have yet to be finalised and have not been published.

Private Pension Schemes

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures are being taken to educate and encourage recent graduates and new members of the work force to make provision for private pension schemes.

Ian McCartney: We are committed to encouraging people to consider their pension saving options early. Everyone needs to be equipped to understand their financial choices and have access to the information they need to prepare for their retirement.
	The Green Paper "Simplicity, security and choice: working and saving for retirement", published on 17 December 2002, Cm 5677, sets out the Government's proposals to work with employers and the financial services industry to provide:
	A simple framework to help people understand their choices.
	Financial education and awareness to navigate the system, including access to
	generic financial advice for the mass market
	Personalised information tailored to individual circumstances, so people can make
	rational choices; and a choice of suitable products.
	The Green Paper, therefore, sets out proposals for building on work that has already been done, as well as identifying new initiatives, in order to provide a coherent education and information effort.
	It also sets out the Government's proposals for working with employers to encourage and facilitate the provision of better information, both generic and specific personalised information, to employees and prospective employees.
	We have launched a wide ranging consultation exercise in which we are seeking views on all these issues. We want to reinvigorate the pension partnership to make sure that future generations of pensioners can make informed choices.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Animal Cloning

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many animals have been cloned in the United Kingdom for each year since 1996, broken down by species;
	(2)  how many cloned animals are living in the United Kingdom, broken down by species;
	(3)  what the cause of death was for animals that have been cloned and then died in the United Kingdom since 1996.

Bob Ainsworth: Only a small number of projects are currently licensed by the Home Office under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 involving cloning by nucleus transfer for experimental or other scientific purposes. This technology may be used for a number of purposes, including the better understanding of the regulation of gene function and development in relation to cloning; the enabling of some potential therapies, or seeking additional potential therapies when stem cell therapy would not be an option; and to allow some forms of genetic modification not practical or possible by other current methods.
	The specific information requested in respect of these projects is not collected centrally, or readily obtainable.
	Cloning for other purposes, such as agricultural practice, including by common means such as embryo splitting, is not regulated by the Home Office.

Assets Recovery Agency

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Assets Recovery Agency.

Bob Ainsworth: The Assets Recovery Agency came formally into being on 13 January 2003, and its Director, Jane Earl, took up post on 3 February 2003, as did her Assistant Director for Northern Ireland, Alan McQuillan. I have signed a commencement order to bring the Agency's powers of civil recovery, taxation, investigations and data sharing into force on 24 February 2003, and the criminal confiscation provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, which include powers for the Director, will come into force on 24 March 2003.
	Jane Earl and her staff will have my full support in their efforts to reduce crime. They will do this by making sure that those in our communities who seek to live off of the misery and suffering caused by crime are not allowed to enjoy their ill-gotten gains.

Air Guns

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pellet and air guns were sold in each year since 1990, broken down by region; how many crime incidents involved an air or pellet gun in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: Information on the number of firearms sold, including pellet and air guns are not collected centrally.
	The number of crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales in which air weapons were reported to have been used since 1990, are given in the table.
	
		Number of offences involving air weapons
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1990 5,380 
			 1991 5,464 
			 1992 6,098 
			 1993 6,337 
			 1994 7,165 
			 1995 7,568 
			 1996 7,813 
			 1997 7,506 
			 1997–98 7,902 
			 1998–99(10) 8,665 
			 1999–2000 10,103 
			 2000–01 10,227 
			 2001–02(11) 12,340 
		
	
	(10) There was a change of counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which would have the tendency to increase the number of offences counted. Numbers of offences before and after this date are therefore not directly comparable.
	(11) Figures may have been inflated by some forces implementing the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) before 1 April 2002.
	The Government is not prepared to tolerate the misuse of air weapons and we are introducing new controls which will raise from 14 to 17 the age at which they may be acquired and possessed without adult supervision. We are also creating a new arrestable offence of carrying an air weapon in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

Airport Policing (Wheeler Report)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what access he will give hon. Members to the restricted aspects of Sir John Wheeler's Report on Policing at UK Airports 2002; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	In his parliamentary reply on 30 October last year my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State explained that Sir John Wheeler's findings and recommendations were being placed in the Libraries of both Houses, but that the main body of his report, which contains information about operational security matters, was not being released. The Government's view remains that security considerations make it sensible not to give the full report a wider circulation.

Asylum Seekers

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Algerian asylum seekers there have been in each year for the past five years; and how many have (a) been refused and (b) left the United Kingdom.

Beverley Hughes: The available information is provided in the table. It is not possible to say how many left the United Kingdom voluntarily without informing the Immigration Service.
	The refusal figures for each year do not necessarily relate to the applications received in the same year. The removals figures for each year do not necessarily relate to initial decisions made in the same year.
	
		
			   Initial decisions(12) 
			  Applications received Total initial decisions Refused under normal procedures Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria(13),(14) Removals and voluntary departures(12),(15) 
		
		
			 1997 715 765 655 — 180 
			 1998 1,260 500 180 — 85 
			 1999(16) 1,385 905 160 30 n/a 
			 2000(16),(17),(18) 1,635 1,935 1,330 85 n/a 
			 2001(19) 1,145 2,665 2,530 — 125 
		
	
	(12) Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.
	(13) Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre '96 asylum backlog.
	(14) Includes some cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds.
	(15) Includes persons departing 'Voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country grounds.
	(16) May exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices between January 1999 and March 2000.
	(17) Cases considered under the normal procedures may include some cases decided under the backlog criteria.
	(18) From October 2000, the source for data on decisions changed. The nationality breakdown is therefore not directly comparable with previous months.
	(19) Provisional data
	Note:
	Figures rounded to nearest five.
	Information on the number of asylum applications, initial decisions and removals is published quarterly on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. The next publication will be available from 28 February and will cover the final quarter of 2002.

Asylum Seekers

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost to the taxpayer was of processing a claim for asylum per asylum seeker in 2002 and in each of the five previous years.

Beverley Hughes: The total cost of processing claims from asylum seekers cannot be separately identified within the overall processing costs of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.

Asylum Seekers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what obligations those who provide accommodation to asylum seekers have to the Home Office when an asylum seeker leaves that accommodation.

Beverley Hughes: Support, including accommodation, comes to an end once a final decision is made on the claim except in the case of asylum seeking families with children under 18. In such cases where support ends, the former asylum seeker will be given notice to leave the premises at which they are residing by the accommodation provider. For those former asylum seekers who have received positive decisions on their claim, accommodation providers are expected to assist with issues such as access to the main benefits system and long-term housing.
	Asylum seekers may choose to leave their NASS (National Asylum Support Service) provided accommodation before a final decision has been made on their claim. Providers are required to make regular checks to ensure the asylum seeker is resident at the address and must tell NASS if it is clear that they have left.

Asylum Seekers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what checks the Department carries out on (a) accommodation provided to asylum seekers and (b) those who own such accommodation.

Beverley Hughes: The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is part of the Home Office and all its procurement exercises are undertaken in accordance with standard Home Office procurement rules. As part of the procurement process checks were made on the capability and suitability of potential suppliers and these checks would have included a review of their experience of housing and accommodation but not necessarily limited to asylum seekers. All properties contracted to NASS are subject to inspection and contracts are monitored to ensure that the contractor is complying with the terms of the contract.

Asylum Seekers

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will take a decision on the application by Ms LC of Aylesbury (case reference C1048555/2; PO19353/2) for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 3 February 2003
	A decision has now been taken on this application.

Asylum Seekers

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time was before the initial determination of asylum claims (a) in the most recent period for which figures are available and (b) in each year since 1997.

Beverley Hughes: The average time between application and initial decision was seven months for initial decisions made between October 2001 and September 2002. This has been calculated using all cases for which data are available, including older cases decided as part of the reduction of the backlog, as well as new cases.
	The table shows the average time to initial decisions for cases decided between 1997 and 2001.
	
		Average time to initial decision, 1997–2001(20),(21),(22)
		
			 Year of decision Average time to initial decision (in months)(23) 
		
		
			 1997 22 
			 1998 17 
			 1999 35 
			 2000 18 
			 2001 13 
		
	
	(20) Excluding dependants.
	(21) Figures are estimates based on cases for which information is recorded.
	(22) Based on data from Refugee Index for 1997 to 1999, and the ACID database for 2000 and 2001.
	(23) The average length of time (in months) is calculated from date application is lodged to the date of initial decision, and relates to the year in which the decisions were made.

Asylum Support

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department of those who have not been deported following a refusal to grant asylum and failing their appeal, what proportion were not at the place of residence recorded by the Home Office when the Department tried to deport them.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 3 February 2003
	Information on the proportion of asylum seekers who were not living at the place of residence is not recorded by the Home Office and could be obtained only by examination of individual case files at disproportionate costs.
	There are different methods of apprehending those who have no entitlement to stay in the United Kingdom. In addition to home visits, they may receive written notice of Removal Directions or be apprehended during the course of enforcement/police operations.

Asylum Support Fraud

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 27 January (refs 91210, 91211 and 91212), when NASS support will become subject to payment through the Application Registration Card; what payment arrangements apply at present; and what measures to prevent fraud have been taken in respect of the present arrangements.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 3 February 2003
	Payment of financial support via the application registration card (ARC) began on 5 August 2002. To date over 37,000 main applicants (50 per cent of the total of main applicants supported) are using their ARC as a means of payment. The transfer to payments using an ARC are being introduced on a phased basis and we are aiming to complete the transition by the Spring of this year. Until the transfer is complete some asylum seekers will continue to receive their support on presentation of a personal Receipt Book at their designated Post Office. Making payments via an ARC provide a more secure method of payment. The process requires Post Office counter staff to undertake a photo Identity check which is proving to be an effective control. The system also allows for detailed electronic records of all transactions including the location, time and nature of every transaction (whether successful or unsuccessful).

Asylum Support Fraud

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 27 January, Official Report, columns 705–7W, how many fraud investigations were undertaken prior to April 2002, and what the outcomes were; and if he will make a statement about the arrangements to prevent asylum support fraud since the establishment of NASS in April 2000.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 3 February 2003
	The National Asylum Support Services (NASS) became operational on 3 April 2000. Between that date and 31 March 2002 NASS investigated 1,467 suspected cases of fraud. NASS did not begin to keep a central record of the outcome of investigations until June 2001. Between June 2001 and 31March 2002, 176 support claimants had their NASS support terminated following a fraud investigation.
	NASS Investigations Section was formed in October 2000 and became fully operational until May 2001. In addition to investigating referrals the Section conducts visits (both announced and unannounced) to supported asylum seekers to establish continued eligibility for support and also works with other government departments to tackle fraud. This work will be devolved to NASS regional offices as part of the current regionalisation programme.
	The introduction of Application Registration Cards (ARCs) containing photographs and biometric data is aimed at further reducing the opportunities for fraud.

Children in Custody

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children there were in (a) custody and (b) secure accommodation in September in each year since 1997; and how many of those in custody were aged (i) under 14, (ii) 14 to 16 and (iii) 16 to 18.

Hilary Benn: The information requested is in the attached tables. Information on those in custody outside Prison Service establishments prior to 1 April 2000 was only collected on Local Authority Secure Units, and was based on a snapshot as of 31 March each year.
	
		Children in custody by age group and type of accommodation 30 September 2000
		
			 Age group Local authority secure units Prison service establishments Secure training Total centres 
		
		
			 Under 14 40 — 19 59 
			 14 to 16 226 978 106 1,310 
			 17 to 18 14 1,880 2 1,896 
			  
			 Total 280 2,858 127 3,265 
		
	
	Source
	YJB custody statistics

Children in Custody

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 7 January 2003, Official Report, column 140W, to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) on children in prison, how many children were held in prison, broken down by (a) type of offence, (b) gender, (c) ethnicity, (d) age and (e) length of sentence in each of the last five years.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 20 January 2003
	The data requested is given in the following table.
	
		Gender breakdown all custody types
		
			 Gender 1998(24) 1999(24) 2000(24) 2001(24) 2002(24) 
		
		
			 Male 2,387 2,336 2,345 2,344 2,486 
			 Female 79 86 89 90 114 
			 Total 2,466 2,422 2,434 (25)2,434 (25)2,600 
		
	
	(24) The figures are taken for June of each year
	(25) The figures have been revised following quality checks

Children in Custody

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 7 January 2003, Official Report, column 140W, to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) on children in prison, what his Department is doing to establish what offences were categorized as (a) other and (b) not recorded.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 20 January 2003
	The offences categorised as 'other', for prisoners aged under 18 on 31 October 2002, are shown in the table.
	For statistical purposes offences are grouped in standard ways for presentation because there are too many offence codes to list them separately and the figures for many offences would be too small for meaningful analysis. For prison statistics the 'other' offence group corresponds to the 'other' offence group used in crime and court statistics to which have been added offences from the criminal damage and motoring
	groups because historically these have been small components of the prison population.
	The number of offences categorised as 'not recorded' for the prison population under sentence has declined. From 1990 to 2000 there has been a decrease of 74 per cent.
	
		Juveniles in Prison Service establishments by offence type, 31 October 2002
		
			 Other offence type Number of persons 
		
		
			 Affray 42 
			 Arson 32 
			 Blackmail 2 
			 Breach of Court Order 49 
			 Criminal Damage 46 
			 Drunkenness 1 
			 Immigration Act 1971 5 
			 Driving Under the Influence 9 
			 Kidnapping 6 
			 Other Criminal Offences 40 
			 Other Motoring Offences 108 
			 Perjury, Libel, Pervert Course of Justice 3 
			 Threat, Disorderly Behaviour 13 
			 Violent Disorder 24

Civil Servants

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants have been employed by (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental bodies in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: The figures can be found in "Civil Service Statistics", published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office for the Government Statistical Service annually and placed in the Library.

Deputy Director General of Policy (Home Office)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the remarks made by the Deputy Director General for Policy in the Home Office at a conference in London on asylum with respect to the Coniston Hotel.

Beverley Hughes: He made no such remarks at last week's Refugee Council Conference and has not commented publicly on this issue.

Drug Offenders (Lincolnshire)

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding was made available for the rehabilitation of drug offenders in each year from 1997 to 2002 in (a) Boston and Skegness, (b) Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, (c) the East Midlands and (d) England.

Bob Ainsworth: Prior to the introduction of the pooled treatment budget in 2001–02 information on the level of treatment spend at local level was not collected centrally.
	The total spend on drug treatment reported by East Midlands Drug Action Teams (DATs) in 2001–02 are as follows:
	
		£000
		
			 Area Total reported treatment spend 2001–02 
		
		
			 Lincolnshire DAT (area includes Boston and Skegness) 3,881 
			 Nottinghamshire DAT 3,832 
			 Derbyshire DAT 2,213 
			 Leicestershire DAT 1,439 
			 East Midlands 21,040 
			 England 301,841 
		
	
	The pooled treatment budget, introduced in 2001–02, provides significant additional funding for the treatment of people with drug problems, including offenders. Drug Action Teams use pooled treatment budget allocations, together with additional resources from health and local authorities and other sources, to fund treatment provision in their areas.
	The level of pooled treatment budget funding allocated to the specified areas in 2001–02 and 2002–03 was as follows:
	
		£000
		
			 Area Pooled treatment budget 2001–02 Pooled treatment budget 2002–03 
		
		
			 Lincolnshire DAT (area includes Boston and Skegness) 1,788 1,883 
			 Nottinghamshire DAT 987 1,811 
			 Derbyshire DAT 1,376 1,849 
			 Leicestershire DAT 896 1,177 
			 East Midlands 9,052 12,955 
			 England 125,300 191,202

Drug-related Crimes

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes committed in Lincolnshire were drug-related in each year from 1997 to 2002.

Bob Ainsworth: Recorded crime figures include statistics on drugs offences, such as possession, and on acquisitive crimes, such as burglary, but do not record whether the latter are related to an offender's drug habits.
	However, the New English and Welsh Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-ADAM) research programme, which involves interviewing and drug testing those arrested by the police, confirms a link between drug misuse and crime, although the conclusions do not relate specifically to Lincolnshire. Analysis of the data from the first eight sites in the survey, collected during 1999–2000, shows that 65 per cent. of arrestees provided a urine sample that tested positive for one or more illegal drug. The analysis also shows that up to 29 per cent. of arrestees tested positive for opiates (including heroin) and/or cocaine (including crack).
	As a guide to the proportion of crime that is drug-related, analysis of the NEW-ADAM self-report data indicates that whilst only 21 per cent. of non-drug using arrestees reported having previously offended in the past 12 months, this figure rises to 75 per cent. for those arrestees who use heroin and/or cocaine/crack. Moreover, whilst users of both heroin and cocaine/crack represented just under one-quarter of all arrestees interviewed, they were responsible for more than three-fifths of all the illegal income reported.
	In support of this, 55 per cent. of arrestees who reported using one or more drugs in the last 12 months and committing one or more acquisitive crimes acknowledged a link between their drug use and their offending behaviour. This proportion rose to 78 per cent. for arrestees who said they had used heroin and cocaine/crack.

Drugs Offences

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many banned visitors were arrested for possession of illegal drugs and subsequently charged, over the last three years for which figures are available;
	(2)  from which prisons and institutions visitors were banned for smuggling drugs during 2001–02; how many bans pertained to each prison; and for what periods of time.

Hilary Benn: Data concerning banned visitors at individual prisons is not held centrally. However, this information is being collated and I shall write to the hon member when it is available and place a copy in the Library.
	The following table details national figures for banned visitors, including time periods, for 2001–02.
	
		
			  
		
		
			 Number of visitors banned 2,815 
			 For less than three months 227 
			 For three or four months 2,292 
			 For five or six months 129 
			 For more than six months 89 
			 Duration of ban not specified 78 
		
	
	Data is not kept on the correlation between visitors arrested and then banned. Almost without exception the arrest of a visitor will lead to a ban. The following table provides figures for the last three years.
	
		
			  1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Number of visitors banned 2,464 2,584 2,815 
			 Number of visitors arrested 728 499 526

EU Travel Ban List

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has to ban (a) Mr. Robert Mugabe and (b) other people on the EU travel ban list, from entering the UK between the dates of 19 to 24 February 2003 apart from under the EU sanctions regime.

Beverley Hughes: The current European Union sanctions on Zimbabwe, which include a travel ban on Robert Mugabe and a further 71 individuals, are due to expire on 17 February. Negotiations are currently in progress amongst EU partners to renew the sanctions.
	If unanimous agreement to extend these measures cannot be reached, provisions exist to prevent admission of individuals whose presence in the UK is not considered conducive to the public good. This can be effected at the personal direction of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, using the powers available to him under the Immigration Rules, or by an entry clearance or immigration officer.

Gun Control

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many converted air weapons were seized by police forces in England in each year since 1997; and how many different seizures there were;
	(2)  how many illegal firearms were (a) found and (b) seized by police forces in England in each year since 1997; and how many (i) findings and (ii) seizures there were.

Bob Ainsworth: The requested information is not collected centrally.

Gun Crime

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the level of gun crime was in each year between 1997 and the last year for which information was available in (a) Hampshire, (b) Southampton, (c) Portsmouth and (d) the Fareham Basic Command Unit.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 31 January 2003
	The number of recorded crimes involving firearms in Hampshire, excluding air weapon offences, are given in the table.
	
		Number of firearm offences in Hampshire (excluding air weapons)
		
			 Year Number of offences 
		
		
			 1997(26) 29 
			 1998–99 38 
			 1999–2000 52 
			 2000–01 49 
			 2001–02 58 
		
	
	(26) Calendar year
	(27) From 1 April 1998
	There was a change of counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which would have the tendency to increase the number of offences counted. Numbers of offences before and after this date are therefore not directly comparable.
	Details of firearm offences for areas below police force area level are not collected centrally.

Immigration

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many documents relating to applications for leave of entry to the UK were lost by the Immigration Service in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The Immigration Service does not compile statistics for documents that have been mislaid but received nine complaints from passengers during the last 12 months concerning the temporary or permanent loss of their documents.

Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what proportion of (a) offenders and (b) victims agreed to participate in the mediation component of the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme;
	(2)  how many young offenders have (a) started and (b) completed the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme since it began.

Hilary Benn: The Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP) was launched in 2001 to provide the courts with a tough community based programme designed to tackle persistent young offenders. It was extended last year and is now able to provide for approximately 3,500 young offenders a year.
	3,243 people have started on ISSP. We do not have centrally-held data on the number of successful completions or the proportion of offenders and victims who agree to participate in the mediation component of the ISSP. However, ISSP is being independently evaluated by Oxford University: the final report with reconviction data is due in March 2004.

Job Sharing

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the extent of job sharing in his Department.

Hilary Benn: Job sharing is only one of a number of alternative and flexible working patterns that employees are welcome to take up. 46 staff are currently recorded as being job sharers in the Home Office, and Forensic Science Service. Information on staff in the Prison Service who are job sharers is not held centrally and could not be provided without disproportionate cost.
	It is Home Office policy (including Prison Service) to advertise jobs as being open to part-timers or job sharers unless there is an operational reason not to do so.

Prison Service

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) pay and (b) career development incentives there are for prison officers to assist prisoners in (i) obtaining educational and vocational qualifications and (ii) developing emotional and parenting skills; and what plans he has to change these incentives.

Hilary Benn: Prison officers involved in the teaching of vocational qualifications receive a specialist allowance of £1,200 a year. There are no direct promotion incentives for prison officers to assist prisoners in obtaining qualifications or in improving their emotional and parenting skills. However, a number of personal development opportunities are available. Prison officers undertake the Custodial Care National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) which includes optional units that measure competence in areas such as assisting in the provision of emotional and parenting skills. The Prison Service is considering linking attainment of the NVQ to the promotion process.
	There are also a number of specific training courses for prison officers that relate to these areas and cover:
	staff working in mother-and-baby units;
	staff at establishments that provide offending behaviour programmes (including the reasoning and rehabilitation, sex offender treatment, enhanced thinking skills and cognitive self-change programmes);
	physical education officer training; and a prisoner development and pre-release course.

Prisons (Women/Young People)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to halt the rise in the numbers of (a) women and (b) young people in prison.

Hilary Benn: It is for the courts to decide in indidual cases whether a prison sentence is appropriate. However, custodial sentences should be used for dangerous violent and sexual offenders and those who persistently offend or commit serious offences. Protecting the public is a priority and these offenders should go to prison for as long as public protection requires. Whether a custodial or community sentence is given it is important that rehabilitative processes are followed to address the causes of offenders' behaviour and to break the cycle of repeat offending.
	We are taking forward the 'Women's Offending Reduction Programme' over the next three years, which seeks to address the range of factors that have an impact on why women offend. It encourages closer joint working between departments, agencies and other organisations where a primary focus will be on improving community-based interventions that are better suited to the needs of women. Greater use of such interventions will ensure that custody is only used for women offenders who really need to be there.
	For young offenders the Government has introduced a range of credible community options including Electronically monitored curfew orders for 10–15 year olds and Electronic tagging for 12–16 year olds on bail and local authority remand. The Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP) is a recently introduced programme to tackle persistent and serious young offenders as an alternative to custodial sentences or secure remands. Targeting the 3 per cent. of young offenders estimated to be responsible for 25 per cent. of youth crime, it is the most rigorous non-custodial intervention available for young offenders, providing the courts with a credible alternative to custody.

Probation Service (Cardiff)

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the proposed closure of the Probation Service workshops, Lewis Road, Cardiff.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 23 January 2003
	The South Wales Probation Board decided on 27 November 2002, after careful consideration of options, that the Community Service Workshop in Cardiff should close on 30 September 2003. Not only will this alleviate health and safety concerns about the facility, but will release funding to improve the focus on punishment in the community, rehabilitation and work with victims. There will be no loss of capacity in the area and better use of resources will increase the number of staff to run offender programmes.

Public Service Agreement

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place the technical note underlying his Public Service Agreement in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: The technical note will be published shortly, and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Refugees

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether contingency plans are being drawn up to cope with (a) an influx into the UK and (b) an exodus from Iraq of refugees following war in the middle east.

Beverley Hughes: Home Office officials, in liaison with other Government Departments, routinely revise contingency plans, including those for large influxes of displaced persons.

Researchers (Lunar House)

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many searchers are employed at Lunar House to seek out documents in respect of which hon. Members request information on behalf of constituents.

Beverley Hughes: There are five members of staff whose duties include searching for documents in connection with telephone and written enquiries from hon. Members for information on behalf of their constituents. There is also a dedicated team of 10 searchers who retrieve missing documents throughout Lunar House and other buildings in the Croydon estate.

Sexual Assault Referral Centre

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that a Sexual Assault Referral Centre is available in every centre of population.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 28 January 2003
	We recognise the importance of the provision of support services for victims of sexual violence. We are currently exploring a range of options for the provision of support to victims of sexual assault, with reference to criminal justice, health and counselling services. We are aware of excellent services being provided by Sexual Assault Referral Centres and as part of this work we will be giving full consideration to them and to other service options.

Shop Workers (Assaults)

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were successfully prosecuted for assaulting shop workers in each of the last five years; how many of these were registered as drug abusers; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The information requested is not collected centrally. We do not record separately the employment status of victims of assault.
	The Government take all assaults seriously. People are entitled under health and safety legislation to a safe working environment, and employers should do all they can to protect their staff from assault.

Solicitors

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines have been issued to prisons, with specific reference to HMP Wakefield, concerning the rights of solicitors to trawl for inmates who have been residents in Tennal Assessment and Community School.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 30 January 2003
	No guidelines have been issued on this matter.

Terrorism

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions have been made under the Terrorism Act 2000.

David Blunkett: Of those arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000, there have been three convictions under that Act to date. A further 29 people who have been charged with offences under the Act, and eight charged with other offences, are currently awaiting trial.

Victim Counselling

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of funding provided to victim counselling services in each year since 1997; what discussions he has had with Victim Support about its organisational structure; and if he will make a statement on (a) the means by which his Department monitors the use of funds by victim counselling services and (b) how the monitoring of the use of funds has changed since 1997.

Hilary Benn: The Department provides funding to the organisation Victim Support for its work in providing practical help and emotional support to victims of crime and to witnesses. Victim Support does not provide a victim counselling service. The level of funding provided each year since 1997 is:
	
		Victim Support funding -- £ million
		
			 Year Grant 
		
		
			 1996–97 11.7 
			 1997–98 12.7 
			 1998–99 12.7 
			 1999–2000 17.5 
			 2000–01 18.6 
			 2001–02 25.1 
			 2002–03 29.3 
		
	
	The Department has maintained dialogue with Victim Support about its organisational structure over the last few years.
	The Department monitors the use of funds by Victim Support in a wide variety of ways, including through the organisation's annual reports and accounts and other literature, attendance at the meeting of the Victim Support Funding Panel, and frequent discussion with the organisation in a range of formal and less formal settings.
	The monitoring arrangements have not changed fundamentally since 1997, although since then the basis of funding has changed from grant to grant-in-aid, and the terms and conditions of grant are now set out more formally and fully in a grant-in-aid agreement which details, amongst other things, the information Victim Support are required to provide to show how the grant has been used.

Victim Supportline

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 9 December 2002, Official Report, column 114W, if he will place a copy of the study of calls to Victim Supportline in the Library.

Hilary Benn: A copy of the information studied to inform the answer of 9 December has been placed in the Library. It comprises a single page spreadsheet entitled "Victim Supportline Statistics 2001–02".

Victims of Crime

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial support is given to organisations that work with the victims of crime.

Hilary Benn: Many publicly-funded bodies work with, and provide support to victims of crime as part of a wider remit. Such bodies include the police, the courts, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Prison and Probation Services, the national health service, the Benefits Agency and local authorities. It is not possible to place a monetary value on this wide range of support.
	Similarly, a number of voluntary organisations which work with victims of crime as part of a wide remit receive funding from public funds. However, data on this is not collated centrally.
	The Home Office provides direct grant aid to three voluntary organisations that help victims of crime. In the current financial year that grant aid will amount to £29.3 million to Victim Support, some £400,000 to the Rape Crisis Federation, and £130,000 to Support After Murder and Manslaughter.

Young Offenders

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of (a) the mental health needs of young offenders and (b) the services provided to meet those needs in (i) Haltemprice and Howden and (ii) England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: We have not made a separate assessment of the mental health needs of young offenders but there is evidence of mental disorder in a significant number of young offenders.
	We are committed to addressing the mental health needs of all young people, including those in the criminal justice system. The Department of Health has a public service agreement (PSA) target to improve child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), and is providing an additional £140 million for this over three years from October 2002. A new 24-beddded unit is being provided for young people requiring mental health treatment in secure conditions. Mental health provision for young offenders is also being addressed as part of the Children's National Service Framework, due to be published later this year.
	The Youth Justice Board have developed a new mental health screening tool and staff training programmes to help early identification and CAMHS referrals. The Board are also working closely with the Department of Health to improve services available for young offenders.
	I will write to the hon. Member about the provision in Wales and in his constituency.